“I have heard of the Jumping-Off Place,” remarked Mrs. Meadows¹, “but I had an idea it was just a saying.”

 

“Well,” replied Mr. Thimblefinger, “where you see a good deal of smoke, there must be some fire. When you hear a great many different people talking about anything, there must be something in it.”

 

“What did the little girl see when she got to the Jumping-Off Place?” inquired Sweetest Susan.

 

“It was this way,” said Mr. Thimblefinger: “When the whirlwinds from the south and the winds from the west, working in double harness, carried the thick clouds away, and the Thunder with them, the little girl went back to the place where she had left the old man who had carried her up the mountain.

 

“She found him waiting. He was sitting at the foot of a tree, sleeping peacefully, but he awoke at once.

 

“‘You see I am waiting for you,’ he said. ‘How did you enjoy your visit?’

 

“‘I didn’t enjoy it much,’ replied the little girl. ‘Everything was so large, and the Thunder made so much fuss².’

 

“‘I hope you didn’t mind that,’ said the old man. ‘The Thunder is a great growler and grumbler³, but when that’s said, all’s said. I am sorry, though, you didn’t have a good time. I suppose you think it is my fault, but it isn’t. If you say so, I’ll go to the Jumping-Off Place.’

 

“‘Where is that?’ asked the little girl.

 

“‘Just beyond the Well at the End of the World.’

 

“‘If it isn’t too far, let’s go there,’ said the little girl.

 

“So the old man lifted her on his back, and they went on their way. They must have gone very swiftly, for it wasn’t long before they came to the Well at the End of the World. An old woman was sitting near the Well, combing her hair. She paid no attention to the travelers, nor they to her. When they had gone beyond the Well a little distance, the little girl noticed that the sky appeared to be very close at hand. It was no longer blue, but dark, and seemed to hang down like a blanket or a curtain.”

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