52 THE SECOND FROGGY FAIRY BOOK.

“That's the most convenient toy I ever
knew,” Elsie said candidly.

“Do you like games?” the boy asked.

“What kinds ?”

“ Checkers* for instance.”

Elsie liked to look on at checkers, but not
to play.

Would she care to see a ue: ?

Nese

The boy led the way up a long flight of
winding stairs. At the top landing he and Elsie
stepped out into a high ceilinged, marble hall.
Occupying the central space of the floor was a
large swimming pool, and on the water’s surface
ee floated a number of lily pads. The spread-
ing leaves were arranged at regular intervals,
and in such a way that Elsie could not help
remarking:

“Why they look like the squares of a
checker-board.”

“That's just what they are,” her companion
made answer. “I am to play the Hop-toad King
at clieckers,. Sce, le 1s: over theres

Elsie looked in the direction pointed at the
opposite side of the pool. Surrounded by a lot
of toads, dressed in flaring yellow and brown
striped bathing suits, was indeed the Hop-toad

* The English call this game ‘“ Draughts.”’