The Littles Have a Wedding

TW1928 600

he Littles Have a Wedding by

JOHN PETERSON Pictures by

ROBERTA CARTER CLARK

V^x^-z^ 'L)(^td-Jce^

The Littles Have a Wedding by

JOHN PETERSON Pictures by

ROBERTA CARTER CLARK

SCHOLASTIC BOOK SERVICES NEW YORK

.

TORONTO

•

LONDON

•

AUCKLAND

•

SYDNEY

book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not be resold, lent, or otherwise circulated any binding or cover other than that in which it is published unless prior written permisand without a similar condition, including this sion has been obtained from the publisher condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. This

in

—

Text copyright

©

Magazines,

©

1971 by Scholastic Magaby Scholastic Book Services, a division of Scholastic

1971 by John Peterson. Illustrations copyright

zines, Inc. All rights reserved. Published

—

Inc.

April

1st printing

Printed in the U.S.A.

1971

To

my mother

ToM!

LUCY!" Mr.

Little called

down

to his children through the hole in the roof.

"Yes, Dad,"

Tom Little called back from

inside the attic of the house.

"Uncle Pete and strap,"

Mr. Little

you push and

"Lucy and

"Ready

.

.

said.

we'll pull I

.

I

are

set

.

have hold of the

"When on the

all set. .

.

I

say go,'

strap."

Dad," said Tom.

GO!" Mr.

Little said.

Mr.

and Uncle Pete pulled hard

Little

on the

A

strap.

pair of black binoculars

came through the hole Little,

aged

ten,

and

in the roof.

his

younger

Tom sister,

Lucy, scrambled through the hole after the binoculars.

Mr. Little

slid

a shingle back into place

to cover the hole in the roof.

"Now," he

said, "let's get these binoculars

chimney Mr.

up

to the

for a look around."

Little

and Uncle Pete got hold of

the heavy end of the binoculars.

Lucy took the

light end. It

for the four of

them

Tom

and

was hard work

to drag the binoculars

up to the top of the roof. The Littles were tiny people. They weren't just small. They were tiny, about as long as a pencil. Mr. Little was the tallest Little and he was only six inches tall. His daughter, Lucy, was less than four inches tall. Her little sister. Baby Betsy, who was about six months old, was no bigger than a thimble.

The

Littles

looked like ordinary people

except for one thing: they had weren't useful

of their

They

But they did look

tails.

pretty, the Littles thought.

good care

tails.

tails.

And

they took

Lucy sometimes

wore a ribbon on hers.

The

Little family

made

their

home

in

They took up very

the walls of George Bigg's house. lived in ten small

rooms that

They always kept out of sight Biggs were around. The Biggs

httle space.

when

the

never found out the Littles lived in the

same house with them. "Now, Tom," Mr. Little Pete and roof.

I will

said,

"Uncle

hold the binoculars

off

the

You climb up the chimney and hang

the strap over the television antenna."

Tom the

scrambled up the chimney with

strap.

Soon

the

binoculars

were

swinging free under the antenna. They could be turned easily in any direction. "I

hope these binoculars

aren't

heavy for the TV antenna," said Mr.

too

Little.

'

J -f

"We

wouldn't want to lose Mr. Bigg's

binoculars.

Tom

and Lucy looked

"Hey, Dad!

"

Tom

focus this thing. "It

makes

me

said,

It's all

into

one

lens.

"We've got

to

blurry."

dizzy,"

Lucy

said.

"First, let's turn the binoculars to face

east," said

that "I

Mr.

Little.

way when he still

"Cousin Dinky went

left

say he's not

Pete, "and nothing has

three weeks ago." lost,"

said

happened

Uncle to him.

He's out there somewhere in the Big Valley having an adventure. Dinky can take care of himself, just as

I

could

when

I

was adventuring." Mr. Little looked through the binoculars

and

at the houses

trees that

were

farthest

away. "We're lucky George Bigg's house is

the highest one around," he said.

"We

get a good view from here." Mr. Little

turned the ring that focused the binoculars. "It's clear

can see so

now," said Tom. "Gee!

far."

"You may be

right about

okay. Uncle Pete.

Mr.

Little.

away

so

binoculars

"But

long."

I

it's

Dinky being

hope you

Mr. Little turned the

slowly.

to see

it

are," said

not like him to stay

"If

his

gUder

crashed in a tree or on a rooftop,

be able

We

has

we might

through these binoculars."

"Oh, Daddy!" Lucy

said. "I

wish you

wouldn't talk about Cousin Dinky that

way."

"I'm sorry, Lucy," said Mr. Little, *l3ut

we must face facts." The

four tiny people looked through

the binoculars

that afternoon.

all

They

looked in every direction for a sign of the missing ghder

pilot.

was almost suppertime. Lucy left to help her mother get their supper from the It

Biggs' leftover food. Uncle Pete

and Mr.

Little sat down to rest against the chimney.

Tom was

left

alone looking through the

binoculars. Suddenly he yelled, "Hey! I

see something!"

The two men ran "Look next house,"

to the binoculars.

to that tall tree near that red

Tom

said.

something

"There's

shiny flying through the

air.

The sun

just

hit it."

"By that's

"It this

10

golly!" said

Uncle Pete.

"I believe

Dinky's glider." is!

It is!"

Mr. Little

said.

"He's flying

way. Thank heavens!"

r

"Doesn't he have someone with the glider?" said

"He

does,"

whoever he "It's

is,

a lady,"

him

in

Tom.

Uncle Pete

said.

he sure has long

Tom

"And

hair."

said.

"A lady?" said Uncle Pete. He looked long and carefully through the binoculars. "It is a woman, by jinks! Now why in the world would Dinky be out on an adventure with a woman?" Just then the sound of fire engines came from somewhere in the Big Valley. Mr. Little looked up from the binoculars. He saw black smoke rising from a house a few blocks away. "This is terrible!" he said. "That's the house where the Fines live." "Look at all that smoke, said Uncle Pete. "That's a bad fire." Tom was still looking through the binoculars. "Cousin Dinky sees the fire "

too,

"

he

said.

"Now

he's flying

toward

it."

Mr. Little turned the binoculars toward

11

^0»>^:/

the

fire.

It

was hard

to

see

anything

through the smoke. But when the wind

blew some of

saw some

it

away

12

moment, he

tiny people standing

roof. "It's the Fines! if

for a

the whole family

is

"

he

on the

said. "It looks as

trapped on the roof."

'

Flames were coming out of the upstairs windows. "Where's Dinky now?" said Uncle Pete. "I can't see him."

"There he

is,"

Mr.

Little said, looking

through the binoculars. "He's going for a landing. He's going to try to save them."

The

Littles

watched Cousin Dinky's

disappear into

glider

the

thick

black

smoke.

They waited. Finally

Tom

said,

"Can you

see him,

Dad? I can't." "No — too much smoke," said Mr. Little. "He's probably landed on the roof by now."

"By golly," Uncle Pete said. "That Dinky sure is the brave one." "Is

it

possible for

him

four Fines in one trip? "I

doubt

if

there's

"

to take out all

Mr.

Little said.

time for two

"Here he comes!"

Tom

trips.

shouted.

13

came sailing out of the smoke. The Littles saw that the Fines were aboard. One of them was hanging onto

The

glider

the wing.

"Hurrah!" yelled Uncle Pete. "They're safe!"

"Oh

gosh!" said

Tom. "The

glider

is

on

fire."

Smoke and

flames trailed out behind

nosed toward the ground.

the glider.

It

The

watched

Littles

in silence as

Cousin

Dinky's glider disappeared behind the trees near the

14

burning house.

C

^.

Very early the next morning the Little family

gathered

Uncle Pete

sat

crawled into his

enough "It's

for

in

their

on the lap.

Dinky

living

sofa.

room.

Baby Betsy

"We've waited long

to get here,"

he

said.

time to go looking for him."

"As soon as

we saw the crash we

should

have gone to help," said Tom. "We're not sure there was a crash.

We

didn't see one," Mr. Little said. "Besides

15

"

would have been too dark for us to look for anyone — and too dangerous. I thought it would be best to wait and see if Dinky it

got back on his own."

Mr. that

Little

looked at the pocket watch

hung over the

fireplace. "I think

should stick to our plan.

If

we

Cousin Dinky

doesn't get here in the next half hour,

we

should start after him."

"He must have said.

He

shook

his

crashed," Uncle Pete

head

as

though

it

were

hard to believe.

"How could Cousin Dinky crash?" Lucy said. "I don't believe

pilot."

it.

He's such a good

She looked around the room

gloomy

faces.

Granny

"How

at the

could he crash?"

Little sat in her rocking chair.

She was knitting a sweater for Baby Betsy. "I don't think

she

said.

we

should give up hope,"

"Dinky has been on many

dangerous adventures."

"We saw the glider with its Tom said. 16

tail

on

fire,

)

Granny

"

nodded her head. "Dinky

Little

might have landed safely anyway/' she said.

"I

wonder who the young woman was,

said Mrs. Little. She sat next to Uncle Pete

on the sofa and looked up

at the watch.

"What young woman?" Uncle Pete said. "She's probably a girl friend of Dinky's,"

Granny

Little said.

"Oh, that young woman!" said Uncle Pete.

He

up and limped back and of the fireplace. (He had

stood

forth in front

been wounded '35

and had

"That's

in the

He

Dinky doesn't have a

doesn't have time

busy adventuring!" Uncle Pete

"Why,

just

sat

being the mailman for

tiny people in the Big Valley takes of his time,"

of

to use a cane.

silly talk!

girl friend.

Mouse Invasion

he went

of the time he's

oflF

and finding people

on.

"Then

exploring in

— too down.

all

the

up most

— the

new

rest

places

danger and saving

them."

17

Granny

Little

Little!" she said.

time for

girl

laughed.

"Oh,

Peter

"Most young men find

And Dinky

friends.

so

is

romantic!" She sighed. "Just to hear him sing

and play

any

girl like

his guitar

would make most

him."

The rest of the Littles tried to keep from laughing. Everyone except Granny Little knew that Cousin Dinky couldn't even carry a tune very well. But Granny Little was hard of hearing. She liked Cousin Dinky and enjoyed hearing him sing. Her family didn't have the heart to

tell

her he

had a terrible singing voice. Granny Little smiled to herself as she thought of Cousin Dinky singing and playing his guitar. She nodded her head. "He'll find a nice girl

get married,

than

we

"

and

they'll

want

she said. "Probably sooner

think."

"Ho! Ho!" Uncle Pete

said.

"It

never happen. Dinky 's a real bachelor,

18

to

will if I

ever saw one.

when

I

And

see one

"Dinky married,"

ought to know one

— being

doesn't

Tom

I

one myself." about

care

said.

"He

told

getting

me

so."

"He does so care about getting married," Lucy said. "He said he wished / was old enough. He'd marry me!"

Everybody laughed.

"HALLO!" The

came from

voice

out-

side the apartment in the wall passageway.

"Anybody home?" Cousin Dinky!"

"It's

Tom

ran to the door and opened

"Thank heavens!" Mrs. "Good!" said Granny

yelled.

He

it.

Little said.

Little.

Lucy ran to the door. "I knew it!" Cousin Dinky and a young woman stood in the

doorway. Their faces were streaked

with soot and their clothes were torn.

Lucy threw

He

lifted

hugged

herself at Cousin Dinky.

her high in the air and then

her.

19

knew you were all right," Lucy said. "Dinky! Thank goodness you^re alive/* "I

said Mr. Little.

Cousin Dinky looked surprised. "Why,

Tm

of course

alive,

Uncle Will," he

He was the young woman's hand. He led

"Why

shouldn't I be?"

the room. "I'd like Kett.

all

You remember

at the far

"Who

end of the

is

to

holding

her into

meet Delia

They hve

valley."

Granny

Little.

She

to hear better.

the Ketts'

Little said.

you

the Ketts.

she?" said

cupped her ear "It's

of

said.

"Only

little

girl,

Delia," Mr.

she's not a little girl

any

more."

The

Littles

Delia Kett.

20

introduced themselves to

"

"Dinky has told

me

all

about you," she

said.

"We're so happy to see you weren't hurt," said Mr. Little.

how

Then he explained

they had watched the rescue of the

Fines through Mr. Bigg's binoculars.

"The Fines are okay," said Cousin Dinky. fire

"We went back

to the house.

wasn't as bad as

apartment

is

in perfect

The

looked. Their

it

shape except for

the smoke smell."

"The

glider

said Delia.

"No

burned up on the ground,"

She shrugged her shoulders.

water.

"Lucky

I've

got another glider half

made," Cousin Dinky Cousin

Dinky

said.

went

into

the

hall

passageway and came back with guitar.

"And now

for the great news,"

his

he

21

me

said.

"Lucky

bum

in the ghder."

for

this

guitar didn't

"Oh, you saved that guitar, did you?"

Uncle Pete "I

need

said.

this guitar to tell

you the great

news," Cousin Dinky said. "I have written a

new song about my

latest

adventure at

the Ketts, and I would like to sing

it

for

you."

"Ah

.

.

.

couldn't

you

just tell us?" said

Uncle Pete. "This

is

an important adventure, Uncle

Pete," Cousin

Dinky

write a song about

adventure! "Sit

It's

down

said. "Let's

said. "I just

it.

had

to

Such a wonderful

the only

way

to tell you."

everyone," Granny Little

have a

little

quiet

— I want to

hear every word."

The

Littles sat in chairs

around the

room. Delia Kett sat on the

Cousin Dinky

who

near

took a footstool.

picked up his guitar and sang:

22

floor

He

Yes, yes, yes. You'll never guess I

found a maiden in

Stuck on a I

lowered

thistle

distress.

bush where she might

die.

my flaps — flew down from the sky.

Yes, yes, yes, You'll never guess I

saved a maiden in

I

flew her

home

distress.

Mom

to her

and Dad.

They'd missed her so and were very glad. Yes, yes, yes, You'll never guess I

loved that maiden in

I

stayed two weeks near Delia's side

And

finally

distress.

asked her to be

my

bride.

Yes, yes, yes. You'll never guess I'll

I

marry that maiden

in distress.

asked her always to share

To

fly

with

me and

be

my

my

life

—

wife.

Yes, yes, yes

Now, did you guess? The maiden answered,

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

23

"Oh my!" Mrs. to

Little said.

have a wedding.

"We're going

How nice."

Mr. Little jumped up and shook Cousin Dinky's hand. "Good luck to both of you,"

he

said.

"I

knew

when you walked

it

door," said

Granny

"Bless you,

my

in the

Little to Delia Kett.

dear."

"But what about your adventures?" said "If

you go

you'll

have to

Uncle Pete to Cousin Dinky. through with

this

wedding,

up having adventures." "Not me, Cousin Dinky

give

"

said.

"I'll

always have adventures." "You'll

Pete.

He

have

to settle

down," said Uncle

looked at Delia. "Won't he?"

"Not me," said Cousin Dinky. "Adventuring

is

in

my

blood.

I'll

be

off

on an

adventure right after the wedding." Delia laughed.

"We had

our

first fight

over Dinky's adventures, she said. "I told "

24

him

I

wouldn't marry him

down. But

settle

yesterday, that's

changed."

"I'm going to write a that,"

Cousin Dinky

"We were

he didn't

what happened

after

all

if

new song about

said.

flying

along and arguing

about whether Dinky should have adventures

wedding,"

the

after

"Then we saw the

me

said.

Dinky thought the

fire.

Fines might be caught in the "Delia told

Delia

fire."

to fly over to the fire

and

find out," Cousin

her

it

Dinky

said. "I told

would be dangerous and

that I

wouldn't take her to a dangerous place I didn't

have

"I said to

if

to."

him

that

if

he didn't get over

there and rescue the Fines, I'd be

mad

at him," said Delia.

"And

that's

how we had

our

first

adventure together," said Cousin Dinky. "I

loved

it!"

Delia said. "Why,

we

flew

25

right into that fire

and smoke, and rescued

the Fine family.

never enjoyed anything

so

I

much in my Hfe." "Delia wants us to go on an adventure

for our

The

honeymoon," Cousin Dinky

said.

Littles laughed.

"I tried to tell her I can't order

adventure," said Cousin Dinky. just

an

"They

happen!"

"We'll have one for our honeymoon," said Delia. "I

26

know

it."

.!S;sfc.^^:>

One month later Tom and Lucy were in Mrs. Bigg's jewelry box.

trying to find an old gold there.

Tom

watch she kept

said they could use

them make a wedding Dinky to give Delia. "Ouch!"

They were

Tom

said.

it

to help

ring for Cousin

"Hey! Some of

this

jewelry has sharp pins." "I can't see

very well inside this box,

Tom,"

said Lucy. "Can't

a

more?"

little

we open

the lid

27

"rm some

trying to," said

help.

The Hd

this earring in

box

to

keep

it

is

Tom. "Give me

heavy. Let's stick

between the

lid

and the

open."

The Biggs were out

of the house that

day. Mrs. Bigg and her son, Henry,

had

gone to the amusement park for the afternoon.

"Ouch!" Lucy yelled. "You dropped the lid

on

my

tail."

"You did that, Lucy," said Tom. "You re not holding up your end of the

lid."

Tom gave the lid a big shove. He poked the earring into place. "There

— now, let's

find the watch."

Lucy patted her

"My

tail

and made a

she said.

tail still hurts,"

"Let's find that watch," said

have

face.

Tom. "We

to get out of here before Mrs.

Bigg

and Henry get back from the amusement park."

"Why

can't

we

just take the

watch and

leave?" said Lucy.

take leftovers,

Tom

"We only you know that." He dug

"That's stealing,"

said.

into the pile of jewelry at the

the box. "Here

he

it is,"

bottom of

said. "Here's the

old watch."

"Look broken

at

it,"

Lucy

"The

— there aren't any hands.

watch a

dial

Isn't

is

the

^leftover'?"

"No," said Tom.

"It's

a 'keepsake.'

I

Henry she likes to the watch now and then. It's solid

heard Mrs. Bigg look at

said.

tell

29

"

gold! It used to belong to Mrs. Bigg's

we

grandfather a long time ago. But take

what we came

inside the watch,"

Mrs. Bigg repaired.

Tom

is

after

because

Tom went

is

it

"And

on.

never going to get that watch

It's

too heavy to carry, she says."

climbed out onto Mrs. Bigg's

dresser

and found a small

used

as a lever to get the

it

can

nail

He

file.

back

oflF

the

watch.

"Oh!"

said

Lucy.

beautiful red jewels,

"They're rubies," are twenty-one of

"Look

at

those

Tom!"

Tom them

said,

"and there

in the

watch

—

see?"

"Won't Cousin Dinky be surprised," said Lucy, "when we show him a ring with

one of these rubies on

it?

"Well, I'm the ring bearer,"

"and

it's

my

Tom

job to find a ring. I

said,

want

Cousin Dinky to give Delia a real special ring. She's keen!"

30

Lucy

"She'll love it!"

Tom

said.

took a hat pin and dug at one of

He was

the jewels in the watch. to get

it

screwed

out of in

wedged

just

Tom move

its

place. "They're not

Tom

place,"

trying

"They're

said.

in."

grunted as he pushed. "I can't

it.

Wow! Get on

the end of the

hat pin and help me, Lucy, will you?" In a few minutes the ruby

was out of the watch. Lucy picked up the jewel and turned

it

in

"Why

her fingers.

jewels in watches

are there

anyway?" she

said.

"They're harder than anything," said.

"They never wear

"Good!" Lucy

said.

Tom

out."

"Our ring

will last

forever."

Tom

pushed the

lid of

open so they could climb he

said.

"Let's take

it

the jewelry box out.

"Come

on,"

home and show

everybody."

31

Tom and

LUCY

ran into the

Littles'

The door slammed. "Oh!" said Granny Little. She was sewing in her rocking chair. "You made

living room.

me

stick

my

finger."

Mrs. Little and Uncle Pete were sitting

on the sofa with Baby Betsy. The baby

was pulling on Uncle "Isn't

she

Pete's moustache.

smart?" Uncle Pete said.

"Most children her age couldn't do

that,

could they?"

Tom 32

held the ruby up for

all to see.

"All

we need

glue

it

"It's

to,"

to

he

do now

is

said.

beautiful,

Tom," Mrs.

do hope you did the

"I

taking

Little said.

right thing

—

it."

"Mrs. Bigg won't miss

Tom.

find a ring to

it,

Mother," said

"Really."

"Won't

it

look wonderful on Delia's

Lucy

finger?"

said.

She began to dance

around the room. "We're going to have a wedding! We're going to have a wedding!"

Granny

"Come

Mrs.

Little.

and hold

Delia's

called to

over, will you,

wedding her

Little

up to you. You're about want to hem it."

dress

size. I

Mrs. Little held the white dress to her

"What a wonderful idea," she make a wedding dress from this

shoulders. said, "to

beautiful old ruffle." "That's

why L saved

it

when

Mrs. Bigg

threw her party dress out," Granny said. "I

Little

knew there'd be a wedding around

here someday."

'

A^i*f

"where did you and Dad get married.

Tom

Mother?"

said.

"In a church

Mrs.

Little. "It

before cat.

we

We

down

the block,

was quite a

"

said

That was

trip.

could ride places on Hildy, the

walked

all

the way.

We

were

The big people were having two weddings that month in the church. We had our pick." "It was a beautiful wedding," Granny Little said. "And you and Will looked lucky though.

every bit as nice as the big bride and

groom."

Uncle Pete pulled at

would be

easier

his

moustache.

on everybody

got married in church.

if

"It

Delia

Why does she want

a house wedding?" "I've

heard that house weddings are

beautiful," said Mrs. Little.

"But,

it's

hard as all-get-out to find a

house where the big people are going to

have a wedding," Uncle Pete to

34

said. "It

be a house where tiny people

has

live too."

'

"Cousin Dinky will find a place," said Lucy. "He can do anything." "Don't be too sure," said Uncle Pete. "He's been looking for almost a

with no luck. He's dog-boned

month

tired."

"Oh, Dinky loves flying aroimd in that

new

glider of his,"

Granny

Little said.

"Don't worry about him.

Tom said, "Why don't tiny people have own

their

ministers

and

justices of the

peace to make marriages? Wouldn't

it

save a lot of trouble?" "It is a lot of

work, Tom," said Mrs.

"But most tiny people enjoy that

Little.

kind of wedding. Usually they have to

make

a trip someplace in the Big Valley

to get married. Friends are invited

and

they get to meet people they wouldn't see otherwise. Friendships are last

made

that

a lifetime."

"That's

Zelda Short,"

"Oh,

I

met my oldest Granny Little said.

how

I

friend,

am so looking forward to a house 35

"

wedding," said Mrs.

"I

Little.

hope

it's

by so we can all go." "Where is Delia anyway?" Tom said. "On the roof with your father," said Mrs. Little. "Cousin Dinky said he would try to fly by today and tell us if he has

close

found a place for the wedding."

"Come

on, Lucy!"

Tom

said.

"Lets go

up and watch." "Tom, what about our ruby ring?" Lucy said.

"Shouldn't

we be

looking for the

ring part?"

"Oh,

Tom

we have

said.

"I

plenty of time for that,"

want

don't

to

landing. I love to see Cousin his

gUder on the

up

there, children,"

Mrs. Little said. "Especially

36

Dinky land

roof.

"Please be careful

wind."

miss the

if

there's a

Tom and

LUCY

got into the tin-can

was made from an old soup can and some elevator that

went up

pieces of string.

Tom

to the roof. It

pulled on the string

and slowly the elevator went up. The children found their father and Delia on the roof.

They were standing near the

chimney.

"Any

sign of Cousin Dinky?" asked

Tom.

He

pointed

to the setting sun. "It's going to

be dark

Mr. Little shook his head. soon," he said.

37

"

"

"Dinky wouldn't Delia.

A

fly in

the dark," said

She looked worried.

few minutes

Tom

later

"There's Cousin Dinky!

shouted:

He's over the

trees.

Everybody turned

to

look.

Cousin

Dinky's glider was riding the wind and

coming toward them. trees at the

It

was clearing the

edge of the yard.

Just then a car drove into the driveway

was Mrs. Bigg and Henry back from the amusement park. "Oh, oh!" Delia said. "What if they see Dinky land on the roof ? Cousin Dinky's glider was coming straight toward the house. The Biggs'

below.

It

was below and ahead of him. The car stopped and Henry Bigg jumped out. His arms were full of toys and prizes. car

Cousin Dinky's glider was almost over Henry's head.

38

Suddenly two toy balloons seemed to leap out of the car behind Henry. They shot

were

up

in the air. It looked as if they going to hit the glider.

"Cousin balloons,"

"Watch

Dinky

Tom

doesn't

see

those

said.

Dinky!" Delia wanted to close her eyes but she didn't. out,

Lucy grabbed her At the

last

him.

He grabbed

tiny

glider off

s

hand.

moment Cousin Dinky saw

the balloons coming

banked

father

up

at the controls.

zoomed to

one

right in front of

straight

side.

The

The

up

and

turn

was

too fast.

"Oh The

no!" said Delia.

hung in the air with its nose pointed up. Then it twisted and turned upside down. The glider went glider

into a tailspin. It fell into the branches

of a tall lilac

bush near the house.

Henry Bigg walked on across the yard. The two gas-filled balloons bounced on the ends of long strings tied to Henry's wrists.

He

ran into the house, pulling

the balloons after him.

Cousin Dinky climbed out of the glider

and onto a branch

of the lilac bush.

A

broken wing of the glider fluttered to the ground.

40

The

Littles

rushed to the edge of the

and looked down. Cousin Dinky was waving his arms in the air. "Good news!" he yelled. "I found a place. It's O.K. We're going to have

roof

a wedding!" )S<:,^)f-A

iJ-A

\s-i,y

VJu-^

t 13 If-

J^

;i

//

A

/

U

—

Lft

m

Mrs. bigg

had

up

some Chinese food on the way home from the amusement park. So that night the Littles

ate

leftover

picked

egg-foo-young

for

supper.

Tom fortune

and Lucy found one cooky

for

the

leftover

family.

wished everyone would eat

Lucy

faster so they

could see what the family fortune was. "Isn't

wonderful?"

it

said

Cousin

Dinky. "We're going to have our wedding at last,

and

at the

the Buttons."

42

home

of our friends

"Hooray!" said Delia. She clapped her hands.

"Only well have to hurry," said Cousin Dinky. "The wedding will take place tomorrow."

Mr.

stopped eating. "Did you

Little

say tomorrow, Dinky?" "It's

said.

crazy,

"But

know," Cousin Dinky

I

happened

it

fast.

the big girl at the Buttons

Well, she and

Remember

— Vera

Long?

Sam Tower have been

going together for a long time. But they just

suddenly decided to get married.

And now

they can't wait."

"I think that's cute," said Delia.

"Haste makes waste," Uncle Pete

"Remember

that."

"It's settled

"We

said.

then," said Cousin Dinky.

go tonight."

"Tonight?" said Mrs.

Little.

"Oh

dear,

we're not ready."

"What am

I

going to wear. Mother?"

43

"

said Lucy.

have

to

"I'm the flower

wear

my

"What about

Do

I

old white party dress?" presents for the bride

and groom?" said Uncle

we had

girl.

plenty of time.

I

Pete. "I thought

haven't got one

yet."

"Oh, Peter!" Granny Little

you

that just like

said. "Isn't

to wait until the last

minute." "We'll have to go whether we're ready or

not,

"

Cousin Dinky

said.

"They're

having the wedding tomorrow morning at ten o'clock." said.

"We

won't sleep anyway," Delia

said.

"Ten

o'clock!"

Uncle Pete

won't get any sleep." "I

"I'm so nervous.

wanted to pick up Delia's parents and my mother in the glider," Cousin Dinky said, "but now that it's broken, I "I

won't be able

"We

44

can

to."

visit

them on our honey-

moon," said Delia, "after you

fix

the

glider."

work on Lucy's dress on the way to the Buttons," Granny Little said, "if there's enough moonlight, and if I get to ride on Hildy, the cat. Maybe I can "ril

do something with that old dress it

to

make

look different."

Mr.

Little got

up from the

better start packing,

Hildy.

Take her

"

he

table.

said.

"We'd

"Tom,

find

to the cellar. We'll leave

from there." Delia jvimped up and began taking dishes off the table.

"I'll

wash the

dishes,"

she said.

"Wait,

everyone!

"

said

Lucy.

"We

forgot about the fortune cooky." "I think Delia should

open

it,"

Granny

Little said.

"Yes, yes!

"

the Littles agreed.

Delia Kett took a knife and began cutting pieces from the fortune cooky.

45

ll

^.^^

X^

She passed them around the

Then

table.

\~-^^*>%imtt<^

she reached into the cooky and pulled

out a

slip of

paper with the fortune on

She handed

it.

Lucy," she

it

said.

you'll bring us

to Lucy.

Then she

good

Lucy read the

"You read

smiled.

it,

"Maybe

luck."

fortune: "Haste

makes

goodness!" said Mrs.

Little.

waste!"

"Oh,

my

"Isn't that

funny? That's

just

what Uncle

Pete said." "I did,"

Uncle Pete

said.

"And

I

meant

it."

"It's

Granny

only

a

Little.

fortune

"How

for

fun,"

said

could a piece of

paper inside a cooky mean anything?" 46

"

"It's

a sign," said Uncle Pete. "We're

much

in too

wonder

of a hurry. I

if

we

shouldn't postpone the wedding. There

be another one along soon. Besides,

will I

wedding present

don't have a

yet."

Everyone laughed.

"You don't have to be in a hurry to get us a present, Uncle Pete, said Delia. "

"We're going to be married for a long time.

We

can wait."

An hour

find the cat," let

Tom came

later

he

said.

back. "I can't

"Maybe Mrs. Bigg

her out of the house."

"Then

we'll

said. "There's

have to walk," Mr.

no

telling

when

Little

she'll

be

back."

"What about the whispered.

"When

for a ring for the

ring,

Tom?" Lucy

we

going to look

are

ruby?

we

"We'll have to wait until

the Buttons',"

"Aw, Tom!"

Tom

said.

said Lucy.

"I'm the ring bearer, Lucy, "I'll

get to

get the ring

— don't

"

said

Tom.

worry." 47

It was The

twelve o'clock midnight.

Littles' suitcases

were stacked

in

They were stay for a few

the center of the living room. taking enough clothes to days.

Mrs. Little had awakened

who was trying

to

Baby Betsy Delia and Lucy were

crying.

quiet her

down

while Mrs.

Little dressed her.

Mr.

Little,

Cousin Dinky, and Uncle

Pete had their heads together in the

comer in

low

They were talking Tom was trying to hear

of the room. voices.

what they were

48

saying.

"

Suddenly Granny right,

you men,

Little

know

I

spoke up: "All you're talking

about me. Well, you can stop going to the wedding and is

to

it.

I

can walk there

it!

I'm

that's all there

just as well as

anyone.

"Of course you're going," Mr. said. "It's

He walked over to the old lady. just that we thought it would be

more comfortable for trip

Little

for

you

if

you waited

Hildy to come back and made the

on

her.

Tom

and Uncle Pete can

stay with you."

"What?"

said

Granny

Little. "I

might

miss the wedding."

"Hildy

could

come

moment," said Mr. "If only I hadn't

back

at

any

Little.

crashed the glider,"

Cousin Dinky

said. "It

so easy to fly

you over."

would have been

"What about using one balloons?" said Tom.

of

Henry's

49

"

"Balloons

Tom,"

are

hard

too

control,

to

Cousin Dinky. "They

said

don't go the

way you want them

"We'd end up

just

to.

Timbuctoo," said

in

Uncle Pete.

mean

"I don't

Tom

said. "If

the balloon.

to fly in the balloon,"

we

tie

a chair just under

Granny can

sit

in

Then

it.

the rest of us can walk along and pull the string."

Cousin Dinky whistled. "Hey! That

may be an others. "I

"By

can

"What's

Tom!" He smiled

idea,

all

might work."

golly, I think

it

walk,"

Granny

said

at the

Little.

the fuss?"

"Maybe we can use both balloons," Cousin

Dinky

said.

the

of

"We may

not have to carry these suitcases."

"Someone help me," to the door. "I

Tom

said.

He

know where Henry

ran tied

them."

Granny

Little

began pulling snippets

of material out of her sewing box.

50

"I

think

have

I

just the thing to

Lucy's white dress to give

it

a

prettier look." Finally she held

and white ribbon.

"This

add

to

new and up a blue

French

silk

make a beautiful blouse." came running over. "Oh,

ribbon will

Lucy

Granny!" she "You'll

said. "I love it!"

be the

ever was

when

prettiest flower girl that I

get through with this

Granny Little. She sat right down and went to work. Lucy danced aroimd her grandmother's dress," said

rocking chair.

pick a violet on the

"I'll

way

to the Buttons' house," she said. "It

will

go with the blue

in the ribbon."

Uncle Pete stood near the

He was smiled.

thinking "I

wedding

know

hard. just

fireplace.

Suddenly he

the thing for a

he

Then he limped over to where Delia was helping Mrs. Little pack. "How would you and Dinky

like

present!"

said.

a picture of President George

Washington,

my

dear?

I

have a rare old

51

ten

cent

stamp given

grandfather.

"Why,

It's

it

— issued

"We

in 1847."

it

and

— when we

get

could frame

over the fireplace

a fireplace."

52

me by my

that sounds wonderful, Uncle

Pete," Delia said.

put

black

to

A FEW HOURS ready to

start.

later the Littles

They were

were

just outside

the Biggs' house in the yard.

Tom

and

two

his father

had

tied baskets

Granny Little sat with Mrs. Little and Baby Betsy in one of the baskets. The Littles' suitcases were to the

in

balloons.

the other basket under the second

balloon.

Some

of

Henry

Bigg's marbles

were

piled in the bottom of the baskets. Their

weight kept the balloons from flying away.

53

hung down from the two

Six strings

baskets.

The

around

tied the strings

were going

on the ground

tiny people

to

baskets with

pull

their waists.

the

They and

balloons

them on the

trip

to

the

Buttons' house.

"Now," Mr.

Little said, "take

some

of

the marbles out of the baskets until the

baskets go

up

in the air."

Soon the baskets were the balloons to

up

until they

lift

light

enough

for

them. They floated

were about ten inches

off

the groimd. "Great!" said Cousin Dinky. to work."

54

"It's

going

"Let's

They

move

all set oflF

out!"

Mr. Little called.

across the yard.

The moon

above the woods lighted their way. "How's the ride up there?" Tom called

mother and grandmother. "Fine, Tom," said Granny Little from

to his

the

balloon.

"I'm sorry you

much

enjoy the trip as

as

we

all

won't

will."

"We're up rather high, aren't we?" Mrs. Little said. "I'm not going to look

down." "Let's

keep

the

talk

whisper," said Mr. Little. don't

down

"We

to

a

certainly

want any animals or big people

to see us."

"Umph!"

said Uncle Pete.

He

patted

a needle sword that was stuck in his belt.

"Any animal

that tries to

with us will feel

this

monkey around

inch of cold steel

in his gizzard."

Almost everyone carried a weapon. Tom had a bow and arrows. Mr. Little

55

carried a needle sword.

and Delia had favorite

spears.

Lucy

carried her

weapon: a pepper shaker. She

had once saved the

/

Cousin Dinky

Littles

from a weasel

by shaking pepper into its eyes. Even Mrs. Little carried a weapon: she had the broken tip of a kitchen knife in her belt. Granny Little refused to carry a weapon. "I never had to use one all

.;

the years

I

carried one," she said.

„

|

"It's

just extra weight."

The

Littles crossed the Biggs'

yard to

They were following Cousin Dinky's directions. He had made

the

walnut

many so

tree.

hiking trips in the Big Valley, and

he knew the

safest

way.

They passed the walnut entered a flower garden.

/ i

It

tree

was

and early

t

5.:t-l.

"

June and the hollyhocks were beginning to bloom.

The

giant flowers

above them. ,^

a

to

and

fro

balloon brushed against

and a shower of pollen

hollyhock,

rained

X

A

waved

down on

the Littles below.

"Aa-choo!" said Uncle Pete.

They

left

the flower garden to follow

came to There was a wooden foot

a path. After a long walk they

the

creek.

bridge crossing "Careful, said.

"Don't

it.

everyone!" fall

Cousin

Dinky

through the cracks in the

bridge. There's a long two-foot drop to

the water."

Tom "Wow!

down between dark down there.

looked It's

the boards.

>^^

V-^v'

"Look!" said Lucy. She was pointing

downstream. "Animals!" "Raccoons!"

make

tracks!"

said

Uncle Pete. "Let's

He moved

faster.

"They don't know we're here, Uncle Pete," said Cousin Dinky. "The wind is blowing toward us so they can't smell us. Besides, they're

busy feeding

at the

stream."

The

tiny family hurried off the bridge

and down the path away from the stream. When they got to the Longs' yard (where the Buttons lived) they heard a terrible racket.

"Everybody

stop!" Mr. Little

drew

his

needle sword.

"What is it?" Lucy whispered. She moved closer to her father. "Cats!" Mr. Little said to

two shadowy humps

of them.

And from

the

and he pointed

just ahead.

way

they sound,

they are about to have a fight!"

58

"Two

1

HOSE CATS

Uncle Pete. "Can

are in our way," said

we go around them?"

"They're right in front of the secret

door into the house," Cousin Dinky said. "We might have to wait here until morning," Tom said. "Cats can sit and stare at

each other for hours."

"I think

we

should wait here until they

go away," Mrs. "Well,

good

Little said.

I don't," said

fighter

knows

Uncle Pete. "Any it's

better

to

do

something than nothing."

"You think we should attack them?" said

Mr.

Little.

He

turned to Cousin

59

Dinky. "Can you imagine our starting a fight

with two cats?

I can't."

"No, no!" Uncle Pete

and

I

said. "Just

Dinky

should attack. As the two most

we can keep them

experienced fighters,

busy while the

rest of

you sneak past

them into the house." "Then what will happen

to you?" Mr.

Little said.

"Oh, we'll get away somehow," Uncle Pete

said.

"Good heavens, Uncle Little.

"This

no time

is

to

Pete!" said Mr.

be a hero. The

cats haven't seen us. Surely we're smarter

than they

are.

We

can find a

way

past

them." "I

have an idea," said Tom.

"Good!" said Mr.

Little.

"Let's hear

your idea, Tom." "First

we

tie all

the strings together to

get one long string," tie

a balloon with

of the string.

60

We

Tom

its

tie

said.

"Then we

basket to one end the other end to a

Someone gets in the basket. We let the balloon and basket go all the way up — as high as the string will let them bush.

go.

Tom

took a deep breath. "While that's

happening, the rest of the people get over near the secret door. Then the person in the balloon makes a hissing

The

noise. is

cats

come over

and everybody runs

to see

for

the

what

it

secret

door."

"And the man in the balloon," said Mr. Little. "What happens to him?" "He'll be safe up in the air," Tom said. "The

be able to get him. After they go away, he pulls himself down." cats won't

Everyone agreed that Tom's idea was the best and safest one for getting into the house.

Cousin Dinky said he would go up in the balloon.

Tom begged

to

go with him.

Mrs. Little said, "He's too young.

may

not be safe.

I

It

wish he wouldn't."

61

Mr. Little to think

He

said,

"Tom's not too young

up a good idea

to help his family.

can be trusted not to do anything

Tm

foolish.

him go with

his

be a good experience

for

going to

cousin. It will

let

him."

Granny "Dinky

whispered to Mrs.

Little

had

has

a

Little,

more

thousand

dangerous adventures than going up in that balloon.

him

if

He

wouldn't take

Tom

with

he didn't think he'd be perfectly

safe."

"I'm

really

coward,

a

whispered to Granny

Tom

to

"He'll

She

be not

sometimes

The

Little

"But

Little.

I

all right,"

Mrs. a

Little's

coward.

— and who

Littles

said

Granny

Little.

hand.

"And

You're

afraid

isn't?"

unloaded

the

balloon

basket that carried the suitcases. left

want

be brave."

patted

you're

Mrs.

"

the marbles in the basket.

They

Then they

loaded some of the suitcases into the

62

other balloon basket and carried the "Let's

move

rest.

out and get nearer the

house," Mr. Little said. "Well stay out of the light of the

garden so the

moon and go through the cats don't see us. And no

noise."

The

tiny people started out.

"Please be careful,

Mrs.

Tom," whispered

Little.

Cousin Dinky and

Tom

began

to tie

the strings together.

"Make square Dinky

said.

Tom," Cousin

knots,

"They won't

slip."

Soon they had a piece of feet

long.

They

tied

string eight

one end to the

balloon basket and the other to a bush.

Tom aboard. lighten

and

Cousin

Dinky

climbed

They unloaded some marbles to the weight. Soon the airship was

rising.

"Let's

make

noises now!" Cousin

Dinky

said.

The two

Littles hissed at the cats.

63

when

the cats heard the noise they

stopped fighting. They stretched their necks, noise.

and turned toward the They crouched down and sneaked sniffed,

across the yard to see

As soon Dinky and

what was going

as the cats got near.

on.

Cousin

Tom stopped hissing. The cats

walked back and

forth,

staring at the

balloon.

Cousin Dinky and

By now

Tom

waited quietly.

the rest of the Littles were safely

But the

in the house.

cats wouldn't

go

away. "I hate to

bop those poor

Cousin Dinky.

"I

cats," said

suppose we'll have

since they won't leave."

He

to,

picked up

two marbles. "You aim for the one on the left, Tom. Fire when I say 'fire,' and

him the first time. We want to give them a good scare." Tom got two marbles and set himself try to hit

to throw.

"Ready!" "Aim... fire!

whispered

Cousin

Dinky.

Bombs away." 65

"EEEEEOOOOOooowwwWWW! "YYYyyyyyyaaaaarrrrrRRR!

The

Swish! Swish!

!" !

!"

cats ran

oflF.

Silence.

Dinky

"They're gone," Cousin

"Tom, you and

I

are pretty

said.

good marble

players."

Cousin Dinky began pulling on the

bush

string that held the balloon to the

moved

below. They

slowly toward the

ground.

Suddenly the

Dinky

went limp. Cousin

over backwards.

fell

"What

string

happened?"

said

Tom.

He

rushed to the edge of the basket. The

ground seemed to be moving away from them.

"One shouted

of

those

Cousin

knots

didn't

hold!"

Dinky.

"The

string

broke!"

The

balloon shot up.

It

was now above

the trees and drifting with the wind.

Tom drew 66

an arrow to

his

bow.

He

aimed

at the balloon.

"We've got

to let

the gas out," he said.

"No, Tom, no!" said Cousin Dinky. held his hand in front of the arrow. a rubber balloon.

We'd be

It

would

rip

He

"It's

apart.

killed in the fall."

Cousin Dinky climbed up on the side of the basket.

He

reached for the cord

The Cousin Dinky

tied to the opening of the balloon.

was a hard one. needed all his strength to untie it. The balloon went higher, drifting with the wind. Houses were so far below they knot

looked like toys. Finally

Cousin Dinky got the knot

"Wooossshhh!" Some of the gas

loose.

escaped.

down.

The

Now

balloon

began

to

drift

Cousin Dinky had to hold

the knot tight to keep gas from escaping too

fast.

Slowly,

slowly,

down toward trees

the

balloon

settled

The

tops of

the ground.

were even with the balloon.

67

Thump! The basket hit the ground. The cousins were tossed into a clump of grass.

"Well, Tom," Cousin Dinky said. "That

was an unexpected adventure. Are you all

right?"

Tom

didn't answer.

He was

pointing

to a pair of yellow eyes staring at

from under a bush.

68

them

f i.

Q-y^

t^

^

.

Meanwhile,

at the Longs'

Buttons were greeting the Mrs. Button

came

to the

had a pretty round looked the Lit

like shiny "

door

first.

She

and her eyes

black buttons. "Oh,

well,

WELL!!" Mr.

boomed behind

What

Littles.

it's

-

"Well, voice

face,

house the

a wonderful

Button's

her. "It's the Littles!

visit!

What wonderful

people, the Littles!"

The

chubby red face was smiling and smiling. He hugged the tiny man's

69

'

women and

men

gave the

"

strong hand-

shakes.

Mrs. Button spotted Delia Kett. "And this is Delia

Ke —

"

Mr. Button didn't

"And The

let his

wife

here's Miss Delia Kett,"

finish.

he

said.

beautiful bride-to-be.

we saw

the last time

"Delia,

you,"

Mr. Button went on, "you weren't any bigger than dear

little

Lucy

Little."

He

patted Lucy on the head. She ducked out from under his hand.

"Now

she's

going to be married," said

Mrs. Button.

"And now said Mr.

you're going to be married,

Button. "My, my, my, that's

wonderful!

And,

married to a fellow earth

— Dinky

Mrs. isn't

70

going

who

the salt of the

is

to

Little!"

Button looked around. "Dinky

with you?"

"Dinky said.

be

you're

He

isn't

with you!" Mr. Button

smiled his big smile.

"We

can't

have a wedding without the bridegroom, can we? Where is the lucky lad?" Mr. Little explained

and

Tom

were

why Cousin Dinky

late.

"Oh, those awful cats!" Mrs. Button said. "Well,

I'm sure Dinky and

Tom

can

handle them." Then she smiled. "While we're waiting for the boys, you can start eating breakf "Yes,

—"

YES!" Mr. Button broke

in.

"Mrs.

Button has prepared a delicious breakfast of leftovers. Let's not

keep Mrs. Button winked at Mr. Little.

He woman has

waiting, folks."

"My if

little

a terrible temper

you keep her waiting." "I

can see

why

she has a temper,"

Uncle Pete whispered to Granny Little. They walked toward the kitchen. "Old Button

won't

let

his

wife

finish

a

sentence."

During breakfast everyone watched

Baby

Betsy. Mrs. Little sat her

up

in a

high chair the Buttons kept for visiting

71

>^:h

children.

(They had no children of

own.) She was feeding her a

banana and a couple of com

their

slice

of

flakes.

"She's adorable!" said Mrs. Button.

"Adorable!" echoed Mr. Button.

Uncle Pete groaned.

Baby Betsy grabbed the spoon out her mother's hand and jerked it. Some the banana and

Uncle Pete's "Isn't

com

flakes

of of

landed on

shirt.

she a smart one? said Uncle Pete. "

"She knows we're talking about her."

jumped out of her She ran over and kissed Baby

Lucy

Little

chair.

Betsy,

then she ran back to her chair.

"Lucy!" said Granny

you get

72

all

Little.

that energy?"

"Where did

"Where said.

are those boys?" Mrs. Little

"They should be here by now."

"Yes, they should," Mr. Little said.

The men decided Mr. left

Little,

to look for them.

Mr. Button, and Uncle Pete

by the secret door. now. The rising sun made

the Longs' house

It waj: light

long shadows in the yard.

Mr.

Little

found a long piece of string

at the

bush

where

Cousin

Dinky

had

tied

the

balloon.

Mr.

end

Little held the

He

in his hand.

balloon

of the string

looked at the sky. "The

gone," he said.

is

"Something

went wrong." "I

should have stayed with them,"

Uncle Pete

said.

ENDS WELL!!"

"Look! Airs well that

Mr. Button shouted.

He

pointed to the

edge of the Longs' yard. "Well,

"Tom!

I'll

be," Uncle Pete said.

Dinky!"

Mr.

"Thank heavens you're

Little

called.

safe!"

73

"

The

three tiny

men

ran across the yard.

Hildy, the Biggs' cat, walked slowly in their direction.

She was carrying the

two cousins on her back. They were laughing and cheering. Cousin Dinky explained what had happened

to them.

landed right eyes,"

he

".

in front of

said, "that

.

.

and

finally

two scary yellow

turned out to belong

to our old friend, Hildy.

"Some "Some

74

luck!"

Uncle Pete

cat!" said

we

Tom.

said.

^Wi

IT WAS

almost time for the wedding.

Everybody gathered

room

to

-

make

plans.

in the Buttons'

Hving

They were wearing

their finest clothes.

Delia was beautiful in her white ruffled

wedding

dress.

She carried one pink

rosebud and her cheeks were pinker than the rose. Lucy, her flower

acorn cap

filled

girl,

with three

matched her blouse made silk

carried an

violets.

of a

They

French

ribbon.

75

Mrs.

the matron of honor, wore

Little,

made from one of Mrs. Bigg's handkerchiefs. And Granny Little wore a yellow flowered dress made from a blue linen dress

the hat

band

of Mrs. Bigg's last year's

Easter hat. Mrs. Button had on a tan lace dress.

She had made

that Mrs.

Mr. took

it

from a lace

collar

Long had thrown away.

Little explained

part

the

in

how

tiny people

wedding ceremony.

"Delia and Dinky must stand as close to the big bride and

groom

as they

can

get.

And, of course, the best man and the matron of honor must be with them," he said.

"The

rest of the tiny

stand near these four possible, they

if

people

may

possible. If not

may watch from any

safe

place in the room."

"Why do

Delia and Dinky have to

stand so close to the big people?"

Tom

said.

"First

— that

Little said.

76

is

the custom, Tom," Mr.

"And, second

— so

they'll

be

sure to hear the words says,

when

the minister

'Do you, Vera Long, take

Sam Tower,

to

this

man,

be your husband/ At the

same time Delia must say, 'I Delia Kett, take this man. Dinky Little, to be my husband. "Isn't "It's

" .

it

.

/

beautiful?" Mrs. Little said.

important," Mr. Little

"for Delia to speak loud

and the enough It's

rest of us to

enough

went for

on,

Dinky

hear her, but soft

so the big people

dont hear

her.

quite a trick."

"Do you have a place picked out

for

us to stand, Mr. Button?" Delia said. "I'm

dying to see

it.

Is it

very near the big

people?"

Mr.

Button reached over and took

Delia's

hand.

"Your wedding will be

held in the Longs' living room," he said.

"And I

I

have a nifty spot

think you'll love

in

mind

for you.

it."

Mr. Little looked at the watch over the fireplace.

"We have

about half an

77

hour

before

Shouldn't

we

wedding

the

get to our places

"Follow me," Mr. Button see what's

happening

begins.

now?"

said. "Let's

in the Longs'

Hving

room."

Tom

whispered to Lucy. "I almost

— we

forgot

have to move

fast.

We

still

don't have the ring."

Everybody hurried

Longs'

down

left

the

living

room.

looking, the

for Mrs. Long's

78

and

the wall passageway to the

followed part of the

was

apartment

Tom and Lucy way. When no one

two children turned bedroom.

off

Mr. button the Longs' living

opened a trap door in room wall. He signaled

for everyone to

be

quiet.

Then he

led

them through the door. They stood on the fireplace mantelpiece. The trap door was part of the wallpaper design. Mr. Button closed the

door and no one could see living

Mr.

room

it

from the

side.

Button

whispered:

"We

are

standing behind a clock on the mantelpiece.

The

clock looks like a house."

79

,'f~
'LI ::>;:Jj

^^:::A\

—i

Wti.iijlUarJ

-^

)

^lE^-ii?rf J--

There was a small hole

in the

back of

the clock. Mr. Button climbed through.

"Follow me!" he whispered.

There was room

to

move around

inside

the clock without getting caught in the

machinery. In the front of the clock-house

were doors and windows. The

Littles

could see out into the Longs' living room

where big people were moving around and

80

talking.

There were wooden

dolls standing in

the doors and windows of the clock-house.

They faced into the Longs' living room. The dolls looked like statues to the tiny people.

"Now here's my plan," Mr. Button said. "As you can see, we are very close to where the wedding If

you look

out,

is

going to take place.

you can see the

minister.

He's the gentleman in the black

The

looked and nodded.

Littles

"When

suit."

wedding march

the

is

played,

the big bride and her father are going to

walk

into the living

the minister this clock,"

is

room and up

to

where

standing right in front of

Mr. Button

said.

"How thrilling!" Delia "We will be able to

said.

see

and hear

everything that takes place," said Mr.

Then he chuckled. "Now here is my greatest idea." The tiny man took hold of a wooden statue that was standing at a window of the clock-house. He gave Button.

81

a pull and

it

on the

came

from

loose

its

holder

floor.

"What Pete

it

are

you up

Button?" Uncle

to,

said.

"Now, Dinky,"

"when away from the window, said Mr. Button,

I

take this statue

I

want you to take its place." "Hold on there!" said Uncle Pete.

"Do you mean," Mr. you want Dinky

window where

Little said, "that

to stand right in that

all

those big people can

see him?"

"They may look won't

see

at the clock,

but they

Mr.

Button.

Dinky,"

said

"People see what they expect to

no big person expects to see a

human being

"I've stood in these

few times myself, said.

And

six-inch

standing in a clock."

"Are you sure?" Uncle Pete

Button

see.

said.

windows quite a

just to test it,"

Mr.

"Even when a big person

looks at the clock to see

what time

it is,

he doesn't really pay attention to these

82

"

statues. It's really quite

on, Dinky,

my

"I'm ready,

amazing.

boy! Try

Come

it!

said Cousin Dinky.

"

He

stood next to the window.

Mr. Button got a good hold on the statue. "All right,"

he

said.

"Get

set

— go!"

Mr. Button quickly moved the wooden

away from

statue

Dinky stepped

the window. Cousin

into

its

out at the living room.

people were

He

looked

About

fifteen

place.

The

sitting there.

minister

stood in front of them with his back to

Cousin Dinky. The people kept looking at the

door and talking

in

low

voices.

Mr. Button took another statue away. Delia

stepped into the place next to

Cousin Dinky. Now, she too was watching

what was going on

in the

Longs' living

room. "It's

Button place."

getting close to the time," Mr. said.

He

"Let's

get

everyone into

pointed to a spot near Cousin

Dinky. "The best

man

should stand here."

83

Uncle Pete moved

the

place.

— you re

giving

into

"That's me," he said.

"And now, Mr.

Little

the bride away," said Mr. Button. "You

should stand here."

Mr. Little did as he was

"And the matron

told.

of honor goes about

here," Mr. Button said.

Mrs.

Little

moved

quickly into the

place pointed out to her.

"Now — the

ring bearer should stand

next to the best man," said Mr. Button,

"and the flower

girl

goes next to the

matron of honor."

"The children said.

He

aren't here,"

Mr. Little

looked aroimd.

Uncle Pete ran to the back of the clock.

He

looked out. "I don't think they ever

got here," he said.

"Oh

dear," said Mrs. Little.

"Tom

has

the ring." "I'd better get them,"

and he hurried out

84

Uncle Pete

of the clock.

said,

In the meantime Cousin Dinky and

Delia were

window. They

The

standing in the clock

still

tried to

keep from moving.

minister turned around and looked

right at the clock.

Then he looked

Suddenly he turned and

wrist watch.

leaned on the mantelpiece. a few inches

He was

only

away from Delia and Cousin

Dinky. They stood very

The

at his

still.

minister began to

examine the

things on the mantelpiece as he waited for the

wedding

photograph.

made

He

to begin.

He

looked at a

picked up a small bird

of glass.

Then, he looked the clock over carefully.

Cousin Dinky and Delia stood

as boards.

The

stiff

up and

minister reached

slowly ran his fingers over the top of the clock-house.

The people in

in the

room kept on

low voices and looking

The minister reached the two tiny people.

talking

at the door.

right in front of

They

stopped

85

breathing!

wooden

The man touched one

statues.

of the

Cousin Dinky saw the

minister looking at him.

going to be next.

He knew he was

/

h

While the wedding party was crowding into the clock-house, in Mrs. Long's

The two

Tom

and Lucy were

room looking

for a ring.

tiny children crawled over a

jumble of things on the woman's dresser.

Lucy tripped backwards over a

hair

curler.

"Let's get going!"

we have The

said.

"Get up

—

to hurry."

children looked around the dresser

top. "It has to said.

Tom

be here somewhere,"

"There! There

it

is.

"

It

Tom

was Mrs.

Long's box for broken jewelry. The box

was jammed with broken

jewelry, beads,

and buttons.

87

Tom dug around in the box for a few minutes. He pulled out a tiny roimd link for a chain. "This will

he

fit

Delia's finger,"

said. "It's

a

too thick,

little

Lucy

isn't it?"

said. "It's

the best we're going to find," said

Tom. "There's nothing better.

We

anyplace

box that

is

have time to look

don't

else."

said

Lucy.

Haste

does

"Golly!"

hurrying.

in this

"We're

make

always

waste,

I

guess."

"Oh

stop

it,

be that way,

Lucy!"

Come

Tom

said.

"Don't

on! Let's find

some

glue and stick the ruby on."

They found some glue in Mr. Long's desk. "It's some of that good white stuff that Mrs. Bigg uses,"

Tom

said. "It really

sticks."

Lucy stood on the tube squeezed a drop

out.

Tom

out of his pocket and glued

88

of glue

and

took the ruby it

to the ring.

--/v.\^--\

The

children blew on the glue to

dry

faster.

"It looks pretty

thought

it

was going

just like

it

it

good," Lucy said. "I

"It is beautiful!"

one

make

for

to look beautiful."

Tom

said. "I'll

make

you when you get

married." Just then they heard music.

"What's that?" said Tom.

Lucy said. Then she shouted. the wedding march. We've got

"Listen!"

"That's

to get back."

"Hold

it,

She started to run. Lucy!" said Tom.

"I

just

remembered.

We don't even know where

everybody

standing."

is

"Tom!" Lucy

said.

"We'll

miss

the

wedding"

89

'When

the

wedding march began, the

minister turned

away from

the clock on

the mantelpiece.

Cousin Dinky looked over at Delia.

She looked at him and smiled.

The wedding march played big groom, best

man

Sam Tower,

on.

The

stood with his

in front of the minister.

The

people in the living room turned to watch the bride

come walking

room with her

father.

into the living

They walked

slowly, in time to the music.

came before the

90

minister.

At

last

they

T-n

.

"Dearly together.

we

beloved, ."

"Where

gathered

are

the minister said.

are those children

and Uncle

Pete?" Mr. Little whispered. "We'll just have to get along without

them," Mr. Button

Tom

"But

Mr.

ring!"

was

supposed to have the

Little said.

this

''Into

is

said.

holy estate" the minister

saying, "these

two persons present

now come to he joined" "Tom had a ruby, I know Little said.

put

it

that," Mrs.

"Did he ever find a ring

to

on?"

never thought about asking him,"

"I

Mr. Little

he says

said.

he'll

"He

usually does

what

do."

him now speak or else hereafter forever hold his peace" said the minister. "Oh dear, whatever are we going to do if there's no ring?" said Mrs. Little. ".

.

.

let

"Wilt thou have this

wedded

92

woman

to thy

wife?" the minister went on.

"/ wilir said

Sam Tower

in the living

room. "7 wilir ssiid

"I'd better

Cousin Dinky in the clock.

go see

if

I

can find those

children," Mr. Button said.

"Somebody had

better

do something,"

said Mr. Little.

"Wilt

thou

have

this

man

wedded husband?'' the minister "/ wilir Vera Long said. "1 wilir

The

thy

to said.

whispered Delia.

came to the part in the ceremony where he asked: "Who giveth this woman to he married to this man?" Mr. Long placed Vera Long's hand in the minister's hand. The minister had Sam Tower take Vera's hand. At the same time, Mr. Little took Delia's hand and placed it in Cousin minister

Dinky's hand. Cousin Dinky and Delia

smiled at each other. "/,

Dinky, take thee, Delia, to

wedded

wife,"

Cousin

Dinky

my said,

93

echoing what was being said in the living

room.

Then she

it

said,

was Delia s "take

thee.

turn. "Z, Delia,''

Dinky,

to

my

wedded husband." Just then,

Tom and Lucy came running

into the clock. Mr. Button

them.

Tom

Little took

Dinky,

who

was behind

held out the ruby ring. Mr. it

and handed

slipped

it

it

to Cousin

onto Delia's finger.

''With this ring, I do thee wed," said

Cousin Dinky. Delia was almost laughing. Her pink

cheeks got even pinker. Tick-took went the clock. Suddenly bells struck the half

The tiny people held their ears. The minister finished the ceremony.

hour.

"Those lohom let

God

hath joined together

no man put asunder."

Sam Tower

kissed Vera Tower.

Cousin Dinky Little kissed Delia

Uncle Pete came back here's everyone!"

94

he

said.

at last.

Little.

"Oh,

"You missed the wedding," said Granny Little.

"Oh, did!"

Uncle Pete

golly,"

Then he walked over

was the first

my

last to get here.

said.

"I

to Delia. "I

May

I

be the

to kiss the bride?"

And he

was.

.^

»,-

>

'

A^'

vT

95

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