"We shall charm him. He and the house are haunted, but fifty cents will enslave them both." "Fifty cents would buy two gallons of gas," whispered Zee, shocked at the recklessness, but even her frankness did not extend to the point of protesting at the extravagance of a stranger--especially when she needed tea. The Corduroy Crab greeted them as unconcernedly as though they came by invitation, and took the bridle from Zee's hand. "Sir, we had a sad accident," said the Curious Cat in a respectful voice. "We are thirsty, tired, and--much wiser. May we have a cup of tea on the porch in a hurry?" He slipped a half-dollar into the man's willing hand as he spoke. The Corduroy Crab seemed not at all surprised. "Of course," he said briefly, and led the horse away. "Now there's a gentleman," said the Curious Cat appreciatively. "Took my money like a--preacher." "What do you mean--like a preacher?" demanded Zee resentfully. But the Curious Cat did not seem to hear, for he was piling soft cushions into wide porch chairs where the girls might sit in comfort. A little later a black serving man came out and pulled a small table from a corner of the porch, arranging it deftly with doilies, and in less than five minutes the girls were eating chicken sandwiches and drinking tea--to be sure, they were not allowed to drink tea at home, but Zee said truly that their nerves required something out of the ordinary. And there was a small silver basket of chocolates on the table-- "Isn't that lucky?" said the Curious Cat, eying the candy greedily. "It is my one and only weakness. Apart from chocolate I am free from worldly affectations. But chocolate--I eat it with every meal, and take a piece to bed at night. Without it I am become as a ravening wolf and a--a thirsting camel. It does seem rather a refined and ladylike accomplishment for one as rough and rude as I--one of the eccentricities of Nature, who played me many pranks." "Yes," said Treasure politely. "However do you suppose the Corduroy Crab--" "Zee!" "The what?" "Oh, excuse me-- He won't tell, Treasure. We call him the Corduroy Crab because he was so disagreeable, you know. I was just--" "Pardon the interruption--but do you mind telling me by what particular form of endearment you designate me?" "The--the Curious Cat," said Zee, though Treasure kicked her smartly under the table. "Because you were so cattish to us, making fun of us, and laughing. Very catty thing to do. And we added the Curious because you really are awfully--queer, you know." "And what were you wondering about the Crab?" "I was just wondering how he comes to have things fixed so lovely? It is wonderful here. It used to be all tumbly and crazy, and things growing everywhere, and little funny animals and bugs shooting around in every direction--it was awful. Father brought us once because we had to write a theme in school--and we couldn't sleep for two nights."