trees hung out of the window and watched Tessa and her father
and Jocko as they went off down the street. Finally the biggest pine
tree turned to the littlest pine tree.

"I'm not a pine tree any longer, Benjy," she announced. "I'd rather be
the kind that _gives_ something. I'm a banana tree now."

"So'm I," echoed Benjy.

BILLY BOY'S MAGIC KEY

Billy Boy had a magic key. He carried it in his face. There was a secret
about this key--it always opened doors into pleasant things. His mamma
had taught him that.

Billy Boy was playing in the yard one day when his mamma came to the
door. "Billy Boy, Billy Boy!" she called. "I want you to do some errands
for me!"

When Billy Boy hurried up to the steps his mamma handed him two baskets.

"One is to carry the groceries I've ordered, Billy Boy," she said; "and
there's a cake for Mrs. Thomas in the other. You can leave it on the way
to the store."

Billy Boy's face clouded. "I--I'd rather not go there, mamma," he said.
"Mrs. Thomas is so cross. That's what the boys say."

"That's because they tease her cat, Billy Boy. Remember about the key,
and you'll be all right."

[Illustration: Chief Hughie thought it would be fun to shoot at
something that moved]

[Illustration: She plunged her hand deep down in her pocket and drew
out a bright new nickel]

Billy Boy picked up his baskets and marched off. Pretty soon, thump,
thump, thump! went Mrs. Thomas's brass knocker.

The door flew open. "No," said Mrs. Thomas's loud voice, "I don't
want--" Then she stopped. Billy Boy was using his magic key.

"I'm Mrs. Sheldon's little boy," explained Billy Boy, pulling off his
cap. "Mamma sent you a cake."

Mrs. Thomas just could not resist that key. "Thank you, child," she
said, smiling, and lifting out the cake. "Wait a minute," as Billy
started down the steps.

She plunged her hand deep down in her pocket and drew out a bright new
nickel. "Here," she said, "buy some candy."

The nickel was clutched tightly in Billy Boy's hand when he reached
home. "Look what she gave me!" he cried. "And she wasn't a bit cross. It
must have been 'count of the key."

And the magic key? Why, it was Billy Boy's own sunny smile, to be sure.

POLLY'S NEW APRIL FOOL

"You're losing your hair ribbon, Polly," remarked the twins as their
sister sat down to breakfast one first of April morning.

Polly hastily felt of her head.

"April fool! April fool! April fool!" shrieked the twi