RUPERT AND THE BACK ROOM BOY No 18

Still very anxious, Rupert goes to bed and is soon asleep. During the night he suddenly finds himself wide awake and a shaft of moonlight makes him sit up. He is not alone, for perched on the bed-rail is one of the Imps of Spring. The tiny creature gazes at him sadly. “Hullo Rupert, I’m glad you’re awake,” says the imp in his piping voice. “Do tell me. What have you been doing to our back-room boy?” “What do you mean?” whispers Rupert. “Who is he?”

The imp demands, “Now why annoy Our clever little back-room boy?”

While Rupert sleeps, the bed-rail shakes And suddenly our bear awakes.