`` What is the name of it ? '' I asked . The little old gentleman put his finger on his lips , and said , with a mysterious nod : `` I could n't tell you , ma'am . It 's a secret ; but , if you manage to land there , you will soon know . '' The other old men nodded at the same time ; and then all went to reading again , with the water still dropping off the ends of their noses . This made me very curious ; and , as the tide drifted us nearer and nearer , I looked well about me , and saw several things that filled me with a strong desire to land on the island . The odd house , I found , was built like a high-heeled shoe ; and at every window I saw children 's heads . Some were eating broth ; some were crying ; and some had nightcaps on . I caught sight of a distracted old lady flying about , with a ladle in one hand , and a rod in the other ; but the house was so full of children -LRB- even up to the skylight , -- out of which they popped their heads , and nodded at me -RRB- that I could n't see much of the mamma of this large family : one seldom can , you know . I had hardly got over my surprise at this queer sight , when I saw a cow fly up through the air , over the new moon that hung there , and come down and disappear in the woods . I really did n't know what to make of this , but had no time to ask the old men what it meant ; for a cat , playing a fiddle , was seen on the shore . A little dog stood by , listening and laughing ; while a dish and a spoon ran away over the beach with all their might . If the boat had not floated up to the land , I think I should have swam there , -- I was so anxious to see what was going on ; for there was a great racket on the island , and such a remarkable collection of creatures , it was impossible to help staring . As soon as we landed , three other gentlemen came to welcome the ones I had saved , and seemed very glad to see them . They appeared to have just landed from a tub in which was a drum , rub-a-dub-dubbing all by itself . One of the new men had a white frock on , and carried a large knife ; the second had dough on his hands , flour on his coat , and a hot-looking face ; the third was very greasy , had a bundle of candles under his arm , and a ball of wicking half out of his pocket . The six shook hands , and walked away together , talking about a fair ; and left me to take care of myself . I walked on through a pleasant meadow , where a pretty little girl was looking sadly up at a row of sheep 's tails hung on a tree . I also saw a little boy in blue , asleep by a haycock ; and another boy taking aim at a cock-sparrow , who clapped his wings and flew away . Presently I saw two more little girls : one sat by a fire warming her toes ; and , when I asked what her name was , she said pleasantly : `` Polly Flinders , ma'am . ''
The other one sat on a tuft of grass , eating something that looked very nice ; but , all of a sudden , she dropped her bowl , and ran away , XXXXX very much frightened .
come disappear hung know looking playing popped put stood warming