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"'Didn't King Woggletoe howl a tiny bit when he put on the stocking?' queried a little girl as she pulled a thumb from her mouth. "'No, my dear, the king did not call out in pain. In fact he felt quite comfortable in his new stocking, Miss Chaperon explained. And the little girl returned the tip of the thumb to her mouth. After a short pause the words flowed once more. "'Why the colour black at the toes?' asked the king. "Weaversock answered in the simplicity of his words, 'Well, your highness black is the best colour as it wouldn't draw attention to your long long toe. Now for the shoes!' "Taptap stepped foward. He produced a the pair of boots in the softest green leather. "'Why are the tips of the boots turned up!' exclaimed the king. "Taptap told the good king that the curl of the shoes is a way to protect the royal toe. When you bump the long long toe throught that style there will be neither bother nor pain. Also I am sure everyone will follow the royal fashion." "It was perfectly true. His leg looked nicely in the green stockings. His long toe felt snungly in the warmth of the lamb’s wool. The long long toe was hidden and protected by the curled up end of the shoe. All admired the royal fashion of the king. "King Woggletoe was delighted! "The queen and her ladies were delighted! "The soldiers and the ministers were delighted! "My dear children that is not the end of the story,' added Miss Chaperon. "Both Weaversock and Taptap were rewarded with bags of gold. The weaver and cobbler were then quite busy in weaving and stitching for the royal household. They were also busy weaving and stitching for people of fashion for the coming days.' "Above
the cottage of Weaversock, the weaver a sign read: "And
above the cottage of Taptap, the cobbler a sign read:
Miss Chaperon closed the book of fairy tales. She settled back on her chair and gave a contented sigh. “that my dear children is the story of King Wiggletoe, Weaversock the weaver and Taptap the cobbler. I hope you enjoyed hearing the story as I enjoyed telling it.” It
was a signal for the end of the enchanted hour. Then the children,
with thanks and good-day to their lips, scampered from that magical
corner. **************
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