By this time the kettle was boiling, and it served him as a signal. In a harsh, untuneful voice he began to chant an old coon-ditty. The effect of his music was instantaneous as regards the more sensitive ears of the pup. Its eyes opened, and it lifted its head alertly. Then, with a quick wriggle, he sat up on his hind quarters, and, throwing his lean, half-grown muzzle in the air, set up such a howl of dismay that Sunny's melody became entirely lost in a jangle of discords. He caught up his empty sack and flung it at the wailing pup's head. It missed its aim, and in a moment the twins had joined in their yellow friend's lament. Sunny never quite understood the real cause of that dismal protest--whether it was the sight of him, his doleful singing, or the flinging of the sack. All he knew was that it was very dreadful, and must be stopped as quickly as possible. So, to that end, he began to cajole the children, while he surreptitiously let fly a kick at the pup. "Say, you bonny kids, you ain't scairt o' poor Sunny Oak," he cried, while a streak of yellow flashed in the sunlight and vanished through the door, a departure which brought with it renewed efforts from the weeping children. "It's jest Sunny Oak wot nobody'll let rest," he went on coaxingly. "He's come along to feed you supper. Say," he cried, laboring hard for inspiration, "it's such a bully supper. Ther's molasses, an' candy, an'--an' lob-ster!" Whether it was the smacking of his lips as he dwelt on the last word, or whether it was merely the fact that their fright was passing, matters little; anyhow, the cries of the twins died out as suddenly as they began, and their eyes, big and round, gazed wonderingly up at Sunny's unkempt face. "Who's you, ugly man?" asked Vada at last, her brain working more quickly than her brother's. "'Ess--ug'y man," added Jamie unmeaningly. Sunny's hand went up to his face, and he scratched amongst his sparse beard as though to test the accuracy of the accusation. Then he grinned sheepishly. "Guess I'm jest an ugly fairy that wants to be kind to two lonesome kiddies," he beamed. "O--oh! You'se a fairy?" said Vada doubtfully. "'Ess," nodded Jamie, thrilling with wonderment, and eyeing him critically. Elated with his success, Sunny went on warmly-- "Yep. Jest a fairy, an' I bro't a heap o' good grub fer you kiddies t' eat." But Vada's small brain was following out its own train of thought, and passed the food question by. "Awful ugly," she said, half to herself. "'Ess," muttered Jamie abstractedly. "Mebbe," said Sunny, with a laugh. "Wal, if you crawl right out o' there an' git around, I got things fixed so we'll hev' a bully time." But his proposition hadn't the effect he hoped. Instead of moving, Jamie suddenly beat his head with his little clenched fists. "Me wants yaller pup," he cried, and forthwith howled afresh.