AS Jimmieboy proceeded along the icy road he observed that everything was beginning to thaw, and then, peering as far into the distance as he could, he saw a great flame burning fiercely and scorching everything with which it came in contact. It was quite evident that the Gas Stove had brought with him the most effective ammunition possible for his purposes. "I don't see exactly how he does it," said the newly appointed Secretary of State, as he ran hurriedly toward the devastating fire. "Easy enough," returned the voice. "He has brought along a large quantity of gas and a garden hose, and he has turned on the gas just as you would turn on water, lit it, and there you are. There is absolutely no withstanding him, and unless he can be induced to stop very shortly, he'll destroy this whole kingdom, and we'll have nothing but a desert ocean; and I can tell you, Jimmieboy, a desert ocean where there is nothing but water is worse than a desert desert where there is nothing but sand." "It seems almost a pity to destroy such a beautiful place as this," said Jimmieboy, looking about him, taking note of the great tall ice-covered trees and the frost flowers and grasses at the road-side. "But, you know, Jack Frost bit my little brother, which was very cowardly of him, and that's why the Gas Stove and I have come here to fight." "I think you are wrong there," said the voice. "I don't believe Jack any more than kissed him; but if he did bite him, it was because he loved him." Jimmieboy had never thought of it in that light before. All he knew was that whatever Jack Frost had done, it had brought tears to little Russ's eyes and woe to his heart. "It's rather a funny way to show love to bite a person," said Jimmieboy. "Just let me ask you a few questions," said the voice. "Do you like cherries and peaches?" "Oh, don't I!" cried Jimmieboy, smacking his lips. "I just dote on 'em!" "Then," said the voice, "Why do you bite the cherry sweet? Why in the peach do your teeth meet?" "Never thought of it that way," said Jimmieboy. "I suppose not," returned the voice. "Are you fond of apples and gingerbread?" "Well, rather!" ejaculated Jimmieboy. "Then tell me this," asked the voice: "Why do you gnaw the apple red? Why do you chew your gingerbread?" "Because I like 'em," returned Jimmieboy. "Why do you crunch your taffy brown? Why do you nibble your jumble down? Why do you munch your candy ball? Why do you chew at all--at all?" continued the voice. "To make things last longer. 'Tain't proper to gulp 'em all down at once," answered Jimmieboy.