been countin' on clearin' it up some day, but can't seem to
find the time. Besides, it wouldn't make any difference to us,--it's
only 'cause we've got the princess to lodge with us that I'd like to see
it a little cleaner. Say, Joe, what _is_ a princess, anyhow?"

"Why, it's a--you see, it's--it's a--well, look at her, can't you see?
That's what it is. _She's_ a princess. Now don't be all night lightin'
one candle."

It did really appear as if Plums was even slower than usual, and so
awkward that two matches were consumed before the wick was ignited.

"You see I don't often swell out in so much style as to have candles,
an' it takes me quite a spell to get one goin'," he said, in an
apologetic tone. "She's all right now, though. Jest come 'round the end
of that box, an' look out for this pile of iron, 'cause you might trip.
There _would_ be a mess if your princess was dumped down on this stuff."

"You get on with the candle, an' I'll see to the rest of the business,"
Joe said, impatiently, for by this time his arms ached severely.

Master Plummer obeyed, and a moment later Joe and the princess were
surveying the home, which occupied six square feet or more in one corner
of the shed, was walled in by barrels and boxes, and furnished with a
pile of straw and a disreputable-looking gray blanket.

"I've slept here some mighty cold nights, an' I know jest how good the
place is," the proprietor said, proudly. "She's tight as a brick, an'
there can't so much as a sniff of wind get in. Then look here!"

He raised the lid of a small box, thereby displaying two tin tomato cans
in which were fragments of biscuits, a broken cup half full of sugar,
two wooden plates, a knife, a fork, and a spoon.

"When trade is dull, I buy stuff at the grocery store, an' bring it in
here. Why, Joe, things will keep jest as well in that box as they would
in one of your tony 'frigerators, an' I ain't sure but it's better. I
have had ice in there two or three days, though I don't know as it
'mounted to anything 'cept to wet everything."

Joe gave little heed to his friend's cupboard. He was looking around for
some spot where the princess could sit down without danger of soiling
her garments, but failed to find that for which he sought.

"See here, Plums, you'll have to spread some papers over that blanket;
it'll never do to put this little thing down where everything is so
dirty."

"I don't see what there is 'round here that's dirty. It se