"We've only a moonicipality, you know," said her strange companion, rambling on until he became quite drowsy. Emboldened by his kind manner, she told him why she had come, and begged for his advice. To her dismay the only reply she got was a series of the loudest snores she had ever heard. He was sound asleep. "Do tell me what I had better do," she implored, and she shook and pinched him till he awoke. "Get on the right side of him, and don't bother me," croaked the old creature, and snored louder than ever. Delighted at the hint, Monica came out on to the plain, and saw the Man gliding slowly on, sideways, as before. He frowned heavily on seeing her there, and seemed speechless with indignation. "Get on the right side of him," repeated Monica to herself as she made a dart forward to do so. This proved unsuccessful, for just then he turned so blue that she stopped, wondering if he was getting a fit. Grandnurse's words, "When there's a blue moon," suddenly occurred to her, and she knew that now was her chance. She took courage in his slowness, and without looking at him a second time she rushed, stooping low, into a very small cave on the other side of him. II THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOON It was not a cave at all. It was an arbour, the beams of which were moonbeams, so that Monica stepped straight through into it and sat down upon a bench. "Evidently the moon is not made of green cheese, as Grandnurse always thought," pondered Monica with the pride of the discoverer. "I must remember to tell her that." And she was just tying a knot in her handkerchief to remind herself when she was startled to hear a musical voice say-- "Are you aware that you are on the wrong side of the moon?" It belonged to a tiny figure no bigger than Monica's doll, dressed like a lady gardener, with apron, straw hat, and big gloves. "The little blind man in the cave told me it is the right side for me," replied Monica politely. "Oh!! He's never done so before. But if Toady told you that, then no one can blame the Gardeness. Who are you?" "I am Monica." "It's a strange name. Some parents have queer fancies. You are the first moon child who has ever come back. How you have grown, to be sure; I shouldn't have known you!" When she heard Monica's errand and had refreshed her memory as to where she lived, she remarked with surprise, "We've had an order for one to be sent to your address to-day. We always forward to customers' houses. But people _never_ come and fetch them. It's a most unheard-of proceeding!" added the little lady with a toss of her pretty head. "Where's your check?" [Illustration: _A tiny figure, no bigger than Monica's doll_] "Cheque? Have I got to buy it? I've just spent all my money on a new doll," said Monica, her eyes filling with tears, "and now I might have bought the new baby instead!" "We're on the check system here," said the little lady, smiling. "Come with me and I'll show you round, then you'll see what nonsense you're talking."