222 The Disobedient Island.

he came to the bridge, he found only half a
bridge, the other half being broken off, and having
fallen partly into the water. The small Island,
too, was wet, very wet, all the leaves of the oak
tree fairly dripping with water.

“Well,” said Mr. Arnold, “how did this hap-
pen? A big wave must have washed completely
over the little Island, breaking the bridge on its
way, and yet I really don’t see how it could have
done so.”

The poor wee Island hung his head in shame.
The children felt badly to think that their pretty
bridge was broken, although there was oe who
was much delighted at the accident, and that was
Disobedience. He laughed till his fat sides ached,
and I really don’t think he was very much to
blame, for the bridge had certainly not treated him
well. Geraldine was the only one who suspected
what had really happened, and she told her father,
what she had seen in the night. He laughed
heartily and said: “ That was only a dream, dear
little girl.”

But the two Islands, Geraldine, you and I
know that it was ot a dream.