“No,” replied Pierrot, “we must be off, the Moon and I, or people will wonder what has become of us. Goodbye!” and getting into the Moon again he was soon floating rapidly away. Boy was somewhat alarmed at his sudden disappearance, and felt half inclined to run back to the Hotel. “Perhaps I had better go down to the bottom of the steps, though,” he thought, “and see who is there;” and he had got half way down when he suddenly stopped in dismay. Why, he was growing shorter! There could be no doubt about it. He could see to his great surprise that he was only about half as tall as he had been when he started running down the steps. Whatever should he do? Boy now felt really alarmed. Why, if he went on at that rate there would soon be nothing at all left of him. “What’s the matter, sonny?” said a tiny voice near him. Boy looked around, but could see no one. “What’s the matter, I say?” said the voice again. “I’m sure I don’t know,” said Boy, who thought that it was only polite to speak when spoken to, even although he could not see the speaker. “I am growing smaller and smaller, and I don’t know whatever to do.” “Well, my little man,” said the voice, “you are going to the toy party, aren’t you? How do you expect to get into Sand Castle the ridiculous size that you are at present? You will keep on getting smaller and smaller each step you take till you reach the bottom, when you will be the respectable height of six inches or so.” “Six inches!” exclaimed Boy. “Oh dear! oh dear! What a tiny mite I shall be, to be sure, and I did so want to be big like Uncle!” “Do you call six inches small?” said the voice. “Why, I am twenty times as small as that.” “Are you really? No wonder I can’t see you, then,” remarked Boy. “I should think it isn’t very nice to be so insignificant as that, is it?” [Illustration: 9030] A sudden pain in his arm made him shout “Oh!” and while he was wondering whatever could have caused it, he heard the voice repeating these words:--= ``"You need not think because I’m small ```That I’ve no reputation, ``I do not hesitate to say ```I’m known throughout the nation.= ``"By every lady in the land ```I’m held in high esteem, ``The strongest men require my aid, ```However weak I seem.= ``"And even you must fain admit ```That I’m both _sharp_ and _bright_, ``And probably will want my help ```Yourself before to-night.= ``"So don’t attempt to ‘sit’ on me, ```'Twould not be wise of you. ``'My name?’ An ordinary Pin. ```_D’ye see the point?_ Adieu."= “Good gracious!” exclaimed Boy; “just fancy a pin talking to one! I wonder whatever will happen next. Well, I certainly _felt_ the point if I didn’t see it,” he continued, rubbing his arm and hurrying down the steps, for he didn’t so much mind now he really knew what to expect about his size. CHAPTER II.--THE PARTY AT SAND CASTLE. [Illustration: 9033]