JAPAN TEA, 199

When they stopped at a hotel that night, Rick, who had put his
legs to a very frequent use during the day, dropped mto a profound
slumber at once; but Ralph lay awake. He saw where the soft
light from the paper-lamp fell upon the paper-walls. Then he thought
how queer it was to be in that room without bedstead, without table,
without chair, without washstand. Hark! He raised himself on his
elbow.

“Frogs!” he said. “The frog band is out, and serenadiig some-
body! That makes me think of home.”

Then his thoughts wandered far away to old Concord. He imagined
himself passing into the house. He went into the sitting-room. He
climbed the stairs leading to the chamber where he and Rick
had many mornings contended in such obstinate pillow-fights, sure
to be followed by a nap from which mother’s voice would with
difficulty arouse them. What heavy sleepers! So drowsy when
she called; and she called now. Then he slowly crawled out to the
barn-chamber —so quiet ; no one there! Then he went out into
the garden under an old pine, where the wind made such sleepy,
sleepy music, and then he went—went—went—to the Land of
Nod!