pirate ship."

"In that case," said Malay Kris, "I'll join you in a friendly game."

Down he leaped as agile as a cat, a trim, slim fellow with bright eyes.

"And now for Alligator," said Hortense. "He's asleep, as usual."

She shook him roughly, and Alligator spoke in a hoarse voice like a
rusty saw.

"Who's tickling me?"

"His voice needs oiling," said Owl.

"A fat pig is what I need," said Alligator.

"Well we have no fat pigs," said Hortense. "We are going to play hide
and seek."

"I'll play, of course," said Alligator, "but I'm slow on my feet. Now
if it were a lake or river, I'd show you a thing or two."

"The point is, who is to be _It_? said Owl.

"Very true," said Lowboy. "He's a mind like a judge--never forgets the
point."

"She's _It_, of course," said Malay Kris. "She thought of the game."

"Oh, very well," said Hortense.

"It would be more polite to make Andy _It_," said Owl. "Always be
polite to ladies."

"I'll choose between Andy and me," said Hortense.

"Eeny, meeny, mona, my
Barcelona bona sky,
Care well,
Broken well,
We wo wack.

"I'm _It_. I'll count to a hundred, and the newel post in the hall
will be goal."

There was a hurrying and scurrying while Hortense hid her face.

"Ready," Hortense called and opened her eyes. She moved cautiously in
the dark hall and stumbled over something at the second step.

Slap, slap, slap, something went against the newel post.

"One, two, three for me," said a hoarse voice.

"That isn't fair. You slapped with your tail," said Hortense.

"Why isn't it fair?" said Alligator. "I wouldn't stand a chance with
you running. Now go ahead and find the others while I take a nap."

"Well, there are plenty more," Hortense consoled herself. "I'll look in
Grandmother's room first."

The first thing she saw was the bright eyes of Owl, who was perched on
the mantel.

"I see you," said Hortense and started to run back.

But Owl flew over her head and was perched on the newel post when she
arrived.

"Dear me," said Hortense, "I'll be _It_ all the time at this rate. I
wonder if Coal and Ember are in the fireplace. She looked, but they
weren't there.

"I'll try the library," thought Hortense.

She hadn't more than reached the center of the room when Coal and Ember
dashed past her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" said Hortense reproachfully to the bronze
image of Buddha seated placidly on his pedestal. The image didn't deign
to