"
"How did I happen to catch you?" asked Jim, without making a move to
release his captive.
"I don't know. I've never been caught before," growled Father Time.
"But I suppose it was because you were foolishly throwing your lasso
at nothing."
"I didn't see you," said Jim.
"Of course you didn't. I'm invisible to the eyes of human beings
unless they get within three feet of me, and I take care to keep
more than that distance away from them. That's why I was crossing
this field, where I supposed no one would be. And I should have been
perfectly safe had it not been for your beastly lasso. Now, then,"
he added, crossly, "are you going to get that rope off?"
"Why should I?" asked Jim.
"Because everything in the world stopped moving the moment you
caught me. I don't suppose you want to make an end of all business
and pleasure, and war and love, and misery and ambition and
everything else, do you? Not a watch has ticked since you tied me up
here like a mummy!"
Jim laughed. It really was funny to see the old man wound round and
round with coils of rope from his knees up to his chin.
"It'll do you good to rest," said the boy. "From all I've heard you
lead a rather busy life.
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