"Then, if we could get the apron from Mrs. Yoop, we could open the doors
and escape from our prison."

"That is true, and it is the plan I was about to suggest," replied
Polychrome the Canary-Bird. "However, I don't believe the Owl could
steal the apron, or even the Bear, but perhaps the Monkey could hide in
her room at night and get the apron while she is asleep."

"I'll try it!" cried Woot the Monkey. "I'll try it this very night, if I
can manage to steal into her bedroom."

"You mustn't think about it, though," warned the bird, "for she can read
your thoughts whenever she cares to do so. And do not forget, before you
escape, to take me with you. Once I am out of the power of the Giantess,
I may discover a way to save us all."

"We won't forget our fairy friend," promised the boy; "but perhaps you
can tell me how to get into the bedroom."

"No," declared Polychrome, "I cannot advise you as to that. You must
watch for a chance, and slip in when Mrs. Yoop isn't looking."

They talked it over for a while longer and then Mrs. Yoop returned. When
she entered, the door opened suddenly, at her command, and closed as
soon as her huge form had passed through the doorway. During that day
she entered her bedroom several times, on one errand or another, but
always she commanded the door to close behind her and her prisoners
found not the slightest chance to leave the big hall in which they were
confined.

The Green Monkey thought it would be wise to make a friend of the big
woman, so as to gain her confidence, so he sat on the back of her chair
and chattered to her while she mended her stockings and sewed silver
buttons on some golden shoes that were as big as row-boats. This pleased
the Giantess and she would pause at times to pat the Monkey's head. The
little Brown Bear curled up in a corner and lay still all day. The Owl
and the Canary found they could converse together in the bird language,
which neither the Giantess nor the Bear nor the Monkey could understand;
so at times they twittered away to each other and passed the long,
dreary day quite cheerfully.

After dinner Mrs. Yoop took a big fiddle from a big cupboard and played
such loud and dreadful music that her prisoners were all thankful when
at last she stopped and said she was going to bed.

[Illustration]

After cautioning the Monkey and Bear and Owl to behave themselves during
the night, she picked up the cage containing the Canary and, going to
the door