"Well, I think myself, major, that it is a little too dangerous for me, and if any other plan could be made I'd like it better," answered Jimmieboy, anxious to soothe the major's feelings which were evidently getting hurt again. "Suppose I go back and order the soldiers to attack Fortyforefoot and bring him in chains to me?" "Couldn't be done," said the sprite. "The minute the chains were clapped on him he would change them into doughnuts and eat them all up." "Yes," put in the major, "and the chances are he would turn the soldiers into a lot of toy balloons on a string and then cut the string." "He couldn't do that," said the sprite, "because he can't turn people or animals into anything. His power only applies to things." "Then what shall we do?" said Jimmieboy, in despair. "Well, I think the best thing to do would be for me to change myself into a giant bigger than he is," said the sprite. "Then I could put you and the major in my pockets and call upon Fortyforefoot and ask him, in a polite way, to turn some pebbles and sticks and other articles into the things we want, and, if he won't do it except he is paid, we'll pay him if we can." "What do you propose to pay him with?" asked the major. "I suppose you'll hand him half a dozen checkerberries and tell him if he'll turn them into ten one dollar bills he'll have ten dollars. Fine way to do business that." "No," said the sprite, mildly. "You can't tempt Fortyforefoot with money. It is only by offering him something to eat that we can hope to get his assistance." "Ah? And you'll request him to turn a handful of pine cones into a dozen turkeys on toast, I presume?" asked the major. "I shall do nothing of the sort. I shall simply offer to let him have you for dinner--you will serve up well in croquettes--Blueface croquettes--eh, Jimmieboy?" laughed the sprite. The poor major turned white with fear and rage. At first he felt inclined to slay the sprite on the spot, and then it suddenly flashed across his mind that before he could do it the sprite might really turn himself into a giant and do with him as he had said. So he contented himself with turning pale and giving a sickly smile. "That would be a good joke on me," he said. "But really, my dear Mr. Sprite, I don't think I would enjoy it, and after all I have a sort of notion that I would disagree with Fortyforefoot--which would be extremely unfortunate. I know I should rest like lead on his digestion--and that would make him angry with you and I should be sacrificed for nothing." "Well, I wouldn't consent to that anyhow," said Jimmieboy. "I love the major too much to----"