The Prince carried them to one of the prettiest platforms and set them gently upon its cushioned top. Then he leaped into the air, whirled around like a windmill and landed gracefully beside them. "Welcome to my dwelling," he said. "But this isn't a dwelling," exclaimed Dot. "A dwelling is a house." "And this is a sofa!" declared Tot. "Oh, no; it's a real house," said Flippityflop, "although it may be different from the dwellings you are accustomed to. Let us enter." He seized a silken strap and opened a trap-door in the top of the platform. "Come on!" he cried, and jumping down the hole, disappeared from view. Dot crept up to the trapdoor and looked down. Just beneath her was Flippityflop, holding out his arms. "Come on!" he said again; "I'll catch you." Dot did not hesitate, but dropped through the opening, and the Prince caught her safely in his arms. Tot followed a moment later, and then the children gazed about them curiously. CHAPTER 7 THE CLOWN COUNTRY Flippityflop's house proved to be one big room, built under the platform, and lighted by a soft glow from hidden electric lamps. The walls were covered with bright-yellow silk hangings and on the floor was a crimson carpet. All around the sides were wide benches with soft cushions of purple velvet, and near the middle of the room was a small table of blue and silver. On the walls Dot noticed several gaudily colored pictures of Clowns, and when Flippityflop saw the children looking at these pictures he said: "Those are portraits of my father and grandfather and great-grandfather. They were all Princes of this Valley of Merryland, as well as good men and clever Clowns. Therefore I am proud of them." "They look very jolly," said Dot. "They were jolly, and proved a comfort to thousands of children. But you must be hungry, and I trust you will allow me to offer you some dinner. What will you have?" "What you got?" inquired Tot. "Well, I have in my cupboard some fried goldfish, boiled buttercups and pickled shoelaces," he answered. "Don't want any," said Tot. "These seem rather foolish things to eat," remarked Dot. "Of course, they are foolish things," agreed Flippityflop, cheerfully. "Everything we do here is foolish. You certainly can't expect wisdom in a country of Clowns." "Course not," said Tot. "If you'll send to the boat for our basket, I think we will prefer to eat the things we brought with us," declared Dot. "Certainly!" answered the Prince, and immediately sticking his head through the trapdoor, he asked a Clown who stood outside to fetch the basket. It came in a remarkably short time, and then Flippityflop assisted Dot to lay the cloth on the blue and silver table, while the children proceeded to eat of the sandwiches, cake and apple-tarts that remained in the basket. "Wouldn't you like something to drink?" asked the Prince. "I am rather thirsty," admitted Dot; "have you any milk?"