Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 90: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 PAUL GALLICO time that she was addressing the little creature as though it were a human being. And yet, it was not really strange that she should, for its attitudes and movements were so real and even the expression on the painted face seemed to change with the angle of the head. ~ © Oh, I wouldn’t mind,” he concluded for her. ‘‘ Everyone likes to talk about themselves. Would you care to hear my life story? I was born in a tree on Christmas Eve—”’ There was a swift movement and a girl puppet appeared on the counter. She had golden ringlets, wide, staring eyes, and a small, discontented mouth. She turned this way and that, appearing to inspect Mouche from all angles. Then she said, ‘‘ My goodness, Carrot ‘Top, where do you find them? ” The leprechaun puppet took a bow and said, ‘‘ Not bad, eh? ”’ The girl gave a little shriek. ‘‘ Gracious me, Carrots, you surely don’t think she’s pretty? Why, she’s nothing but skin and bone.” Carrot Top, with a twist of his head, managed to look reflective. * Well, I'll admit her legs aren’t much to look at, Gigi, but she has nice eyes and there’s something about her that—”’ ** Country trash, if you ask me, and probably no better than she should be,’”’ Gigi murmured and, folding her hands piously, gazed skywards. “Yes,” Carrot Top agreed. ‘‘ A country cousin, all right. But still, you know...” " Mouche felt that it was enough. She stamped her foot at the mocking little creatures and cried, “ Really! How dare you two stand there and discuss me! Don’t you know that is the worst manners? ” Carrot Top seemed taken aback and looked worried. He replied, “Dear me. Perhaps you are right. We've all been running some- what wild of late. Maybe what we need is a little discipline. Why don’t you try saying something rude to us? ”’ Gigi flounced petulantly. ‘“‘ Well, I for one don’t intend to remain here to be abused by a‘scarecrow,” and vanished beneath the counter. Carrot Top looked after her and shook his head slowly. ‘“‘ She’s not getting any better-tempered. Well, go ahead. I don’t mind being insulted.” Mouche could not repress asmile. “‘ I can’t. I think I like you.” * Oh! Do you really?’’ Carrot Top contrived to look both pleased and startled. ‘‘ That wants some thinking over. I'll see you later, maybe.” He vanished likewise but was immediately replaced by the fore part of a red fox with a long, pointed nose and a sardonic grin. There was a leer in his avid eyes and a worse one in his voice. For a moment he watched the girl warily, then appearing to smile a sly, oily smile, rasped at Mouche, “‘ Hullo, baby! ”’ Mouche gave him a severe look. “‘ Don’t you hullo me,” she ad- monished. ‘‘ You’re a wicked scoundrel if ever I saw one.” comiclooks.comn