"Tut, tut," interrupted Mumbledy Peg. "If I have insulted you, you are very sorry, and I sincerely accept your humble apology." "But I didn't apologize--I had nothing to apologize for." "Then that shows how generous I am--I accept it anyway," and Mumbledy Peg held out his hand: "Come, we will shake hands and be good enemies again." And he looked so merry and good-natured about it that Billy couldn't resist a smile. "Didn't you say that you were Bogie Man's official potato masher?" asked Billy. "I not only said so, but I am." "Then you know where he lives." "Yes, but I've never been there." "You've never been there?" exclaimed Billy. "No, of course not. Why should I go there?" "To mash potatoes, of course." "Ah! but I said I was the _Official_ potato masher--officials never go near the office, we let the servants do that," said Mumbledy Peg. "And you get a high salary for doing nothing?" "Yes, of course; the higher the salary the less the work, is our motto, or to be exact, the fewer the higher." "Perhaps you can direct me to Bogie Man's house." "Who knows?" said Mumbledy Peg. "I'm willing to try it if you are." "I am," said Billy. "I am very anxious to deliver a note to him." "I'll take it for a dime. I love to read notes." "But you can't read this." "If it's typewritten I can, and, anyway, if I miss any words, you can tell them to me." "But I don't want you to read it, it's not for you," said Billy. "I'm not particular about that. I could probably find something in it that would amuse me." And Mumbledy Peg held out his hand for the note, just as if everything had been settled. "No, I'd rather take it myself," said Billy. "Oh! all right, if you're going to be selfish with your old note, go ahead. But I warn you that you have lost your chance forever to have the note read, for if you should come to me now and beg me on bended knee to read that note, I should refuse. That's the kind of a man I am." "Don't worry," said Billy, "I shan't ask you." "That won't help you any, for I won't read it even if you don't ask me." And in high dudgeon Mumbledy Peg started to stump off down the street. "Hold on," called Billy, running after him. "I have nothing to hold on to, but don't worry, I won't fall." "Can't you give a sensible answer to anything?" "No. I used to do that and people said I had so much common sense I couldn't be very bright. When I began talking nonsense they said it was so foolish it must be very clever, and thus I gained a great reputation for being witty." "Well, just for once, won't you try to talk common sense?" said Billy. "How can I get to Bogie Man's house?" "There is just one way and that is to walk. We have no street cars here." "I mean in what direction shall I go?" "It makes no difference to me which way you go--see here, Billy Bounce, I know you," said Mumbledy Peg, severely. "You know me?" asked Billy, in surprise. "Yes, I do, and I'm not going to help you find Bogie Man's house."