GETTING READY FOR BED.
Allan thought it was time he learned to get himself ready for bed. He wished to be a man as soon as possible. That, he thought, would be one way to grow manly. So he kissed everybody good-night and went upstairs to bed all alone.
No, not exactly alone, for Toodles went with him. Allan did not admit it to anybody, but he really was very much obliged to Toodles, as he was a great deal of company.
“Now Toodles, you watch me undress, and see if I don’t know how!” And Toodles watched.
“You see that, Toodles?” asked Allan as he put out one foot with a stocking on it. “That is where I keep some of my pigs.”
“Pur-r-r, pur-r-r,” said Toodles.
“Sure!” said Allan. “You can’t see them, for they are all covered up; but they are there. Now, look!” Allan jerked off the stocking and wiggled his toes before Toodles’ very nose. “See, five of them!”
“Pur-r-r, pur-r-r,” said Toodles.
“And here’s where I keep all the others!” said Allan as he held up the other stockinged foot. “See them?” Off went that stocking. “Are they not nice little pigs? There’s the one that went to market, and there’s the one that said, ‘squeak, squeak.’” Allan poked his bare foot into Toodles’ ribs and wiggled his toes in his fur.
“Pur-r-r, pur-r-r,” said Toodles.
Allan got his clothes off, but found it hard to get his nightgown on. His hands would go into the legs of the gown. His feet would go into the arms of the gown. He and the gown got all tangled up. Toodles couldn’t help him. He could only encourage him by saying “Pur-r-r, pur-r-r.”
Mamma came up and straightened him out, and buttoned his gown behind.
Then Allan said his prayers, asking God to “bless everybody and Toodles.”