"Even , Your Maj ," he cried out, as he drew near. "Hap see!"
He meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty, I'm happy to see you," but there being only half of him he spoke but half of each word.
"Good evening, Mr. Left Split," replied the Queen. "I see you are as busy as ever."
"Ind am. Anim al get out ord " By this he meant to say: "Indeed I am. The animals are always getting out of order."
"Please wind me up at once," said the dancing bear, in a complaining tone; "I've been run down for three hours."
"Ver sor , but can't help," remarked Mr. Left Split, cheerfully, meaning that he was very sorry. He placed the key in a small hole at the back of the bear's neck and wound it up tightly.
As soon as he withdrew the key the bear began to move its head by slow jerks from side to side, and to rest first upon one leg and then upon the other, as if it were dancing.
"That's better," it said, in a more pleasant voice; "I ought to run now until sundown."
Just then the Queen exclaimed: "Here comes Mr. Right Split," and the children looked up and saw the other half of the split man coming out of the forest a short distance away. He also had a key in his hand, but when he saw the Queen and her companions he came hopping toward them, saying in his jerky voice " Ning, jesty! Come our ley." By which he meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty! Welcome to our Valley." But being the right half of the man he spoke on the right half of each word.
As soon as he came up, however, there was an end of this mode of speech, for the right half of Mr. Split placed his flat side close to the left half's flat side and then with both hands he hooked the two halves together with little brass hooks. Then Mr. Split looked more like a complete man, although the left side was dressed in a bright red suit while the right side wore white, so
it was easy to see where he was joined together.
When he had fastened himself securely, which he did with great rapidity, the man spoke, saying, "Your Majesty has found us as busy as ever. The fact is, these animals and cars and merry-go-rounds run down very quickly, and they require so much attention that this is the first time we have been hooked together since early this morning. It is the same every day, but I try to do my duty, and you will find this Valley in good condition and everything properly cared for."
"I am sure of that, Mr. Split," answered the Queen.
Dot and Tot had been so astonished at all this that they had stood perfectly still, and noticing this Mr. Split came toward them with his key raised and said, briskly:
"Where are your key holes my dears? You must have run down."
"Oh, no!" cried Dot, shrinking back; "We're we're alive!"
"Oh, that is different," returned the man, with a laugh. "I'm glad you are not to be wound up, for I am so busy now that there ought to be three or four of me instead of two."
"You're funny," remarked Tot, who had been staring at Mr. Split.
"Thank you, sir," replied the man, bowing politely.
"What are you made of?" asked the boy, curiously.
"Wood, of course," answered the man. "Wood is the strongest and best material for that purpose. My feet are beech, my arms and legs are limbs of ash, my body is pine and my heart is oak. As for my head, it is mostly chestnut, although my hair is curly maple, my eyes mahogany and my teeth hickory."
"Oh!" said Tot.
"You may notice my voice is very strong," continued the man; "it is made of birch bark."
"Oh!" said Tot.
"And my hands are made of the rubber tree so I can wiggle my fingers easily and turn the keys to wind the machinery."
"Oh!" said Tot.
"If you had not told us this," remarked Dot, shyly, "we should have thought you were made entirely of witch hazel."
The Queen laughed at this, and said: "Now, Mr. Split, if you will kindly gather some fruit and nuts from the forest for our supper we will ride on the merry-go-round until you return."
The man bowed and at once ran into the forest on his errand, while Dot and Tot followed the Queen toward the merry-go-round.
CHAPTER XVII. The Animals that Wound Up
The merry-go-round was turning smoothly, and the saddled animals galloped along in an inviting way, while the barrel-organ played some very loud and frisky circus tunes.
"It's almost like a side show!" cried Dot enthusiastically, as she seated herself upon a camel. Tot bestrode a dapple-gray horse, and the Queen sat upon a lion and took hold of its mane to steady herself.
They whirled around in a very pleasant and exhilarating manner for some time, and Dot was laughing and enjoying herself immensely when she happened to notice a number of big teardrops rolling down the cheeks of the tiger that was galloping just in front of her.
"I I think it's it's real mean of you," whimpered the tiger with sobs in his voice, "for you to ride on that humpbacked animal all the time, and and neglect a roy royal Bengal tiger!"
"Oh, I shall be glad to make a change," she cried, and leaping off the camel's back she sprang upon the tiger, who thereupon dried his tears and smiled in a most delightful manner.