"But she has an older brother; and sometimes older brothers are kind
enough to help their little sisters," remarked Kyzie, with a meaning
smile toward Jimmy; but Jimmy was looking another way.

"Uncle James told a funny story about that air-castle," went on Kyzie.
"Did you hear him tell of sitting up there one day and seeing a little
toad help another toad--a lame one--up the trunk of the tree?"

"No, I didn't hear," said Lucy. "How did the toad do it?"

"I'll let you all guess."

"Pushed him?" said Edith.

"No."

"Took him up pickaback," suggested Lucy.

"Nothing of the sort. He just took his friend's lame foot in his mouth,
and the two toads hopped along together! Uncle James said it probably
wasn't the first time, for they kept step as if they were used to it."

"Wasn't that cunning?" said Edith. And Jimmy remarked after a pause, "If
Lucy wants to go up to that castle, maybe I could steady her along; only
there's Bab. She'd have to go too. And I don't believe it's any place
for girls!"

The ride was a long one, forty miles at least. The passengers had dinner
at a little inn, the elegant horses were placed in a stable; and the