oots well polished--Latin grammar under
arm--"

He stopped. Rudolf, in his pajamas, with his ruffled locks, tin
sword, and angry expression, did not answer very closely to
this description. The Cook-who-liked-living-in-the-Country, the
Gardener-with-the-Generous-Disposition, and several other Good Dreams
burst out laughing. Only the False Hare kept a solemn expression, but
Rudolf knew very well what _that_ meant.

The Sandman continued: "Number two. Little girl: modest and timid in
her manners, not apt to address her elders until spoken to--hair
braided neatly and tied with blue ribbon--white apron over dark
dress--doing patchwork with a pleased expression. Has not forgotten
thimble--"

Here Sandy was interrupted by the Cook and the Gardener, who declared
that if he didn't stop they'd die a-laughin', that they would! The
False Hare wiped away a tear, and none of the dreams seemed to
consider the description correct. Sandy shook his head again, as he
glanced at Ann in her nighty, her ruffled curls tumbling over her
flushed face--Ann without patchwork, thimble, or pleased expression!

"Afraid you won't do, miss," said he, looking quite sorry for her.
"Let's see what's next. Number three"--he read--"Very small boy: clean
blue sailor suit--white socks--looks sorry for--"

All turned to look at Peter, but Peter was not looking sorry for
anything--Peter was not there! Ann gave a hasty look all round the
glade, then burst into tears.

"Oh, Rudolf," she cried, "what shall we do? He's gone--he's slipped
away to find those Bad Dreams all by himself--you know how Peter is,
when he says he's going to do anything, he _will_ do it. Oh, oh, I
_ought_ to have watched him!"

"Don't cry," said Rudolf hastily. "It's just as much my fault. You
stay here and I'll go fetch him back. I have my sword, you know."

"No, no," sobbed Ann. "Don't leave me. It was my fault--I promised
mother I would always look after Peter. We'll go together. The Sandman
will tell us where the Bad Dreams live, won't you?" she added, turning
to Sandy.

"There, there, of course I will," said the little man kindly. "I'd go
along with you, if there wasn't such a press of business just now, but
you can see for yourselves what a mess things would be in if I should
leave. You must go right ahead, right into the thick of the woods.
Follow that path on the other side of the glade. You needn't be afraid
you'll miss those Bad Ones--they'll be on the lookout for you