, clapping her hands together in delight.

"I'm glad you like it," said the Mayor, much pleased. "Some people, who
are lacking in good taste, think it's a little overdone, but a Mayor's
house should be gorgeous, I think, so as to be a credit to the
community. My grandfather, who designed and painted this house, was a
very fine artist. But luncheon is ready, so pray be seated."

They sat down on little clay chairs that were placed at the round table.
The Mayor sat on one side of Twinkle and Mrs. Puff-Pudgy on the other,
and Chubbins was between the skinny old magician and Mr. Sneezeley.
Also, in other chairs sat Dr. Dosem, and Mrs. Chatterby, and Mrs.
Fuzcum, and several others. It was a large company, indeed, which showed
that the Mayor considered this a very important occasion.

They were waited upon by several sleek prairie-dog maids in white aprons
and white caps, who looked neat and respectable, and were very graceful
in their motions.

Neither Twinkle nor Chubbins was very hungry, but they were curious to
know what kind of food the prairie-dogs ate, so they watched carefully
when the different dishes were passed around. Only grains and vegetables
were used, for prairie-dogs do not eat meat. There was a milk-weed soup
at first; and then yellow corn, boiled and sliced thin. Afterward they
had a salad of thistle leaves, and some bread made of barley. The
dessert was a dish of the sweet, dark honey made by prairie-bees, and
some cakes flavored with sweet and spicy roots that only prairie-dogs
know how to find.

The children tasted of several dishes, just to show their politeness;
but they couldn't eat much. Chubbins spent most of his time watching Mr.
Presto Digi, who ate up everything that was near him and seemed to be as
hungry after the luncheon as he had been before.

Mrs. Puff-Pudgy talked so much about the social standing and dignity of
the Puff-Pudgys that she couldn't find time to eat much, although she
asked for the recipe of the milk-weed soup. But most of the others
present paid strict attention to the meal and ate with very good
appetites.

Chapter VIII
On Top of the Earth Again

AFTERWARD they all went into the big drawing-room, where Mrs. Fuzcum
sang a song for them in a very shrill voice, and Mr. Sneezeley and Mrs.
Chatterby danced a graceful minuet that was much admired by all present.

"We ought to be going home," said Twinkle, after this entertainment was
over. "I'm afraid our folks wil