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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Adventures in Toyland, by Edith King Hall
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Adventures in Toyland
+       What the Marionette Told Molly
+
+
+Author: Edith King Hall
+
+
+
+Release Date: November 17, 2007  [eBook #23523]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original 70 illustrations.
+      See 23523-h.htm or 23523-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h/23523-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND
+
+To my little friends Dorothy & Doris in recollection of
+the time we spent in fairyland together.
+
+Altemus' Young People's Library
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND
+What the Marionette Told Molly
+
+by
+
+EDITH KING HALL
+
+With Seventy Illustrations
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Copyright 1900 by Henry Altemus Company
+Philadelphia
+Henry Altemus Company
+
+
+
+Contents
+                                                      Page.
+
+   Chap. I. AFTER THE SHUTTERS WERE UP                   13
+    "   II. THE RABBIT AND THE MOUSE                     20
+    "  III. BELINDA                                      57
+    "   IV. THE OFFICER AND THE ELEPHANT                 75
+    "    V. THE LITTLE DANCER                            93
+    "   VI. THE HANSOM-DRIVER                           107
+    "  VII. PROUD CLARIBELLE                            121
+    " VIII. THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL            139
+    "   IX. THE LAST PERFORMANCE                        156
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+Molly and the Marionette,                      Frontispiece
+
+                                                      Page.
+
+Unrolling the Adventures                                  v
+Three Friends in Fairyland                               vi
+The Farthing Doll gets a Surprise                       vii
+From Noah's Ark                                         vii
+Four Merry Ducklings                                     ix
+Birds of a Feather                                      xii
+A Procession from the Ark                                13
+"Molly's astonishment was great"                         15
+The two Dancers                                          19
+The Marionette is waiting                                20
+The Rabbit plays and the Mouse dances                    21
+The Mouse collects the Money                             24
+A Pair of Conspirators                                   26
+"The Sentry is both brave and wicked"                    29
+The Mouse discloses its Plan                             31
+The Owl listens behind the Sentry-box                    35
+The Owl takes charge of the Drum                         37
+On their way to the Sentry-box                           39
+The Rabbit bids the Sentry Good-day                      41
+The Rabbit spreads the Gum over the Floor                44
+The Mouse tries to look pious                            49
+The Rabbit takes Vengeance                               52
+Two little Tell-tales                                    56
+Here the Marionette paused                               57
+Belinda shuts her Eyes                                   59
+"Simplicity and Self"                                    61
+The Sailor-lad tries to startle Belinda                  65
+"Oh, Belinda, how I love you!"                           69
+Bedtime in the Ark                                       74
+The Marionette in a hurry                                75
+The Two Enemies                                          76
+"The Lady Dolls shrieked"                                79
+The Officer threatens the Elephant                       81
+"He fell under the animal's trunk"                       87
+"He grunted and walked slowly away"                      92
+Molly sits beside her Friend                             93
+"One day she saw the Bicycle-man"                        96
+"A very handsome fellow"                                 97
+"Something within her went--_Snap_!"                    103
+"Alas! alack-a-day!"                                    106
+"Come, this won't do!"                                  107
+"The Hansom-driver was very plain"                      109
+"The Butcher, the Baker, and the Clown"                 111
+"My face is my fortune"                                 113
+"Every time he looked in the Glass"                     115
+"Drove off as fast as he could"                         120
+"I should like to hear about her"                       121
+"Claribelle was a haughty doll"                         123
+"The Rag Doll was a pushing person"                     125
+The Driver begins to sing                               127
+"Then she swept away"                                   131
+"The Driver got up with dignity"                        133
+"He loved but drove away"                               135
+Proud Claribelle is penitent                            138
+"The two met as usual"                                  139
+The Grocer meets the Farthing Doll                      140
+"They walked away hand in hand"                         143
+"She handed him a joint of beef"                        147
+"Supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No '"             149
+"They were happy ever after"                            152
+"Molly ran away content"                                155
+"The little Marionette lay on the ground"               156
+"They had just finished their dance"                    160
+"I begin to understand--nerves"                         165
+The General rides off to the nearest chemist            167
+The Clown dances a double-shuffle                       169
+"You are not crying, dear, are you?"                    171
+"She rocked to and fro silently"                        175
+The Marionette fell asleep quite happily                177
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+All sorts of toys were to be found in that toy-shop. It was truly a place
+to please any child! A little girl, who had come to stay there with her
+aunt--the owner of the shop--and her little cousin, was always to be
+found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this
+one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were
+spent in the shop.
+
+It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were
+put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the spot where
+she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette,
+who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very
+fine gentleman.
+
+They were both very prettily dressed. The little lady Marionette wore a
+beautiful white silk dress brocaded with pink roses, whilst her partner
+had on a blue velvet coat, knee breeches, white silk stockings, and
+diamond shoe buckles. Their clothes were really very grand!
+
+And they danced so gayly, too.
+
+"Just as if they like dancing with each other!" the little girl once
+said to her aunt.
+
+"You are a fanciful child, Molly," answered the woman, laughing.
+
+"All the same, I believe I am right," replied the little girl.
+
+This evening, however, they were not to be found in their accustomed
+place. The little platform on which they danced was there, but the dolls
+themselves were gone!
+
+The little girl looked round the shop much bewildered.
+
+"Where _can_ they be?" she said.
+
+At last she saw the little lady Marionette sitting on the right hand
+counter, with her back against the Noah's Ark.
+
+"Well, how funny!" exclaimed the little girl aloud. "How have _you_ got
+there?"
+
+"Walked, of course," answered the little Marionette in a sweet little
+voice.
+
+The little girl's astonishment at this reply was very great. So great
+that it kept her silent.
+
+"You seem rather surprised," said the little Marionette. "Why?"
+
+"Why, I never knew you could talk!" she exclaimed, recovering a little
+from her surprise. "Or any other toy, either," she added.
+
+"Life is full of surprises," remarked the little Marionette; "especially
+in the toy-shop."
+
+"I wish you would tell me all about it," said the little girl, becoming
+bolder. "If toys can walk and talk, why don't children know it?"
+
+"Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant
+regarding their habits," she answered. "_That_ is the reason.
+
+"At the same time," she continued, "as it is, generally speaking, only
+when mortals are not present that we _can_ move and speak freely, this
+ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable."
+
+"But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?"
+
+"That I can't tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a
+Mortal--a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every
+toy--generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks."
+
+The little girl clapped her hands.
+
+"You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!" she
+exclaimed with pleasure. "I am only going to stay with my aunt and my
+cousin for twelve days longer."
+
+She paused a moment, then added:
+
+"How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys--a new story
+every day, you know. Couldn't you do that?"
+
+The little Marionette looked doubtful.
+
+"Before I attempt anything of the sort, I shall have to consult Father
+Christmas--the well-known and much-esteemed patriarch. As he is the Head
+of our Society, I should like to do nothing without his advice and
+sanction."
+
+The little girl sighed anxiously.
+
+"I _do_ hope he'll say 'yes'," she said. "I want so much to hear stories
+of toys told by a toy."
+
+"I'll do my best to please you," said the little Marionette. "Come here
+at the same time to-morrow,--by yourself, for I can only speak before
+one Mortal at a time,--and I will see what I can do."
+
+"Thank you," she said gratefully. "Please give my best love to Father
+Christmas; and tell him if he says 'yes' I will see that Auntie puts him
+at the very top of the Christmas tree."
+
+She turned to go, then paused and came back.
+
+"I should just like to ask you one thing before I go," she said. "Don't
+you and your partner enjoy dancing together?"
+
+The pink cheeks of the little lady seemed to grow a little pinker.
+
+"Perhaps we do," she replied.
+
+"I thought so," remarked her new friend with some satisfaction. "Good
+evening! I shall come again to-morrow at this same time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+The next evening the little girl returned to the Noah's Ark, where she
+found the little Marionette in the same position.
+
+"Well!" she said eagerly.
+
+"I have consulted Father Christmas," answered the little Marionette. "He
+is of the opinion that I may, without harm, tell you tales of _some_ of
+the toys. You shall therefore hear the most interesting stories I can
+remember."
+
+"That will be very nice," said the little girl. "Will you begin at
+once?"
+
+"At once," she agreed, and began the story of "The Rabbit and the
+Mouse."
+
+
+
+
+THE RABBIT & THE MOUSE
+
+
+The white Rabbit and the brown Mouse were both talented, though in
+different ways. The Rabbit's talent showed itself in the precision and
+vigor with which he could beat a drum as he sat on his hind-legs; the
+Mouse in the swiftness and grace with which he could speed to and fro
+upon the counter.
+
+Talking over the matter, they arrived at the conclusion that if they
+went up and down the counter together as a traveling-show they might
+turn a very pretty penny. The Rabbit was to display his musical talent,
+whilst the Mouse was to exhibit his powers of graceful movement.
+
+The profits were to be equally divided. Such, at least, was the
+arrangement as _understood_; but it was not a _written_ agreement, which
+was a great mistake.
+
+The reason, however, that the two partners omitted to be more
+business-like was this: the Rabbit trusted the Mouse, and the Mouse
+hoped to cheat the Rabbit. Not that anything of the sort was openly
+expressed, but each was quite well aware of his own view of the matter.
+
+The two started off upon the most amiable terms, stopping at such places
+as they thought most likely to prove profitable: in front of the dolls'
+houses; before the race-courses; by the shops. Then the Rabbit would
+announce loudly:
+
+"I am a rare-bit from Wales, and the Mouse is a tit-bit from Ireland.
+We charge no fees for performing, but trust to your kind generosity."
+
+After this the Rabbit played the drum with great energy, whilst the
+Mouse ran up and down in the most nimble manner.
+
+It was probably owing to a report which got abroad, to the effect that
+the performers were noble strangers, working in the cause of charity,
+that the success of the pair was so great. It was, indeed, wonderful,
+and in a short time the two had gained quite a little fortune.
+
+It was the Mouse who collected the money. For purposes of his own, he
+persuaded the Rabbit to let him always take upon himself this duty. And
+his companion, who was rather stiff in the joints after sitting
+perfectly still upon his hind-legs for the length of time he was obliged
+to, was quite willing to let the Mouse do as he wished.
+
+Not that he would have been willing to had he known the real facts of
+the case. For as you will understand by what I have said, the Mouse was
+acting towards him in the most dishonest fashion, in spite of his many
+fair words and speeches.
+
+It was in this way that he plotted against his friend: As soon as a
+certain sum of money had been collected, the Mouse always suggested that
+he should go and invest it. To this the Rabbit never made any objection,
+having great faith in the Mouse as an animal with a good business head.
+
+When the little rascal returned after a long absence, he had always a
+fine story to tell of the cleverness with which he had laid out the
+money, and of the fortune which would shortly be coming in. This was
+perfectly untrue. The Mouse was not investing a penny. On the contrary,
+he was hoarding it all up, and for his own benefit.
+
+There was a certain Horse who lived some little way off in a luxurious
+stable. Here the Mouse was minded to pass his last years, so soon as he
+had made a sufficiently large fortune, or unless chance removed him from
+the toy-shop. But in order to carry out his plan, he would have to pay
+the Horse a large sum for the right of sharehold--since it was his stall
+he wished to share,--and also to get the warm, cosy corner he especially
+desired.
+
+The Horse himself was not the noble creature nature had intended him to
+be. He was to the full as greedy as the Mouse, and was indeed his
+helper in the plot. It was to the Horse the little swindler always ran
+when he pretended that he was going to invest the money, and it was in
+his stall that it was hidden. By the end of the half-year the Horse and
+the Mouse calculated that they would have sufficient money to carry out
+their design; when they intended to add further to their wickedness by
+causing the Rabbit to be killed, in order to prevent his asking any
+tiresome questions.
+
+Now, as the time drew near when the money, had it been invested, should
+have brought in some returns, the Rabbit began to talk of what he
+intended doing with _his_ share.
+
+"I think," said he, "after I have supplied my own wants, I shall found a
+drum-scholarship for Musical Rabbits;" for he was a creature of a kind
+and generous nature, and truly devoted to the cause of art.
+
+"A most excellent notion," said the Mouse. "I shall follow your good
+example, and found a scholarship for the encouragement of harmonious
+squeaking amongst Mice. One cannot do too much to encourage the love of
+music amongst all classes."
+
+"When will our first dividends be paid?" asked the Rabbit.
+
+"The money ought to have been paid already," answered the little scamp,
+"but business is very bad just at present. I would explain the matter to
+you, but I doubt you would not understand all the details."
+
+"Very good; I will not trouble you," answered his companion easily. "I
+have perfect faith in your judgment, and will leave all to you."
+
+Yet from time to time, as was natural, he still made inquiries, which
+the Mouse began to find troublesome. He therefore consulted with his
+wicked friend the Horse, and they resolved that, as the half-year was
+approaching, and they had got sufficient money for what they wanted, it
+was better to delay the carrying out of their plot no longer, but to
+kill the Rabbit as soon as it could be managed--indeed that very day.
+
+"To whom shall we intrust the deed?" asked the Horse. "There would be
+too great a risk for either of us to undertake it, I fear. If we were
+discovered there would at once be an end of all our plans. Our money
+would be taken, and possibly our lives also."
+
+The Mouse considered for a moment, then he said:
+
+"I think I know the very fellow for the job. There is the Sentry who
+always stands in his wooden box. He is a chap who will do anything to
+vary the dulness of his life and earn a little money. He told me so the
+other day. He is both brave and wicked. Let _him_ him do the deed."
+
+"Very well," replied the Horse; "I think your idea is good. Will you
+arrange the matter so that it be carried out without any mistake?"
+
+"Leave it to me," replied the other. "You need not disturb yourself. The
+days of the Rabbit are numbered."
+
+"Good!" neighed the Horse; "and the quantity of my corn, oats,--besides
+carrots, apples, and other luxuries,--will be _beyond_ number. We'll at
+once open an account with the fruiterer and corn-dealer."
+
+"Also the cheese-monger," said the Mouse. "Well, I must go; there is not
+a moment to be lost if we wish to carry out our plan." Then he hurried
+off to the Sentry.
+
+"Sentry," said he, "are you prepared to run some risk for the sake of
+money?"
+
+"For the sake of money I'm prepared to do anything," said the wicked
+fellow.
+
+"Then listen," said the Mouse. "There is a sum of money that, strictly
+speaking, ought to be divided between the Rabbit and myself. But the
+best way appears to be that I should have it all. But that is a little
+difficult so long as he is alive. So I come to you to ask you if you
+will kill him, provided I fill your knapsack with gold."
+
+"Upon that condition, yes," said the ruffian. "But don't attempt to
+break it, or I shall put an end to you as well as your friend."
+
+"Never fear. Rest assured you shall have it," said the Mouse.
+
+"Now for the details of the plot," he continued. "I am going to propose
+to the Rabbit a private performance in front of your sentry-box. I shall
+say I have suggested it in order to vary the terrible dulness of your
+existence. Having finished our performance I shall lead the way straight
+forward, _with our backs towards you_. When we have gone a few steps I
+shall remark loudly, 'That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_
+knows how to handle the bayonet'. This is to be the signal for you to
+step quietly out of your box, and, pretending to stumble, stab the
+Rabbit in the back with your bayonet. This should be quite easy, for he
+is sure to be walking away on his hind-legs. He has fallen into that
+habit since he has taken to playing the drum. You and I will, of course,
+exhibit much grief, and declare that his death was an unfortunate
+accident. You see the plan offers no difficulty."
+
+"Then if the _plan_ offers no difficulty, _I_ won't," said the Sentry,
+with a cold-blooded laugh. "When is it to be carried out?"
+
+"This very day, in about two hours' time," replied the Mouse. "Well,
+good-bye for the present, I think it is all very nicely arranged;" and
+he nimbly scurried back to tell the Horse that the Rabbit was to be
+killed by the Sentry; which he did with the utmost glee.
+
+Perhaps, however, his glee would not have been so great had he known
+that whilst he was giving his account of what had occurred to the Horse,
+_his wicked plan was at the same time being told to the intended
+victim_!
+
+This is how such a strange thing happened.
+
+Whilst the Mouse and the Sentry were talking, they had forgotten that
+the Owl's usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they
+thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that
+the Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day.
+
+It so happened, however, that at the very moment the Mouse began his
+conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad
+daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became wider
+awake, he was going off to sleep again,--when the name of the Rabbit
+caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the Mouse, whose
+squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what was being said,
+at first with drowsy then with startled attention.
+
+He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot,
+and then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close
+his heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the
+astonished Rabbit.
+
+"_Impossible!_" exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a
+crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. "I would
+as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse--my friend and
+companion through weal and woe. _Impossible!_ You must have dreamt it,
+or invented it."
+
+"Don't be so hasty in your judgment," remarked the Owl. "I have neither
+dreamt nor invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the brown
+Horse's stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present moment
+talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you return, in
+case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty."
+
+"Many thanks," said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the
+Owl he hurried away.
+
+But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and
+dismay.
+
+"All you have told me is but too true," he exclaimed. "Let me tender you
+my most sincere apologies for having doubted your word. Unseen by my
+faithless friend, I listened to his conversation with the Horse, and
+overheard more than enough to convince me of the truth of your story.
+
+"Yet who," he continued sorrowfully, "who could have believed it of that
+little Mouse? Who would have imagined so great an amount of deceit dwelt
+in so small a body?"
+
+Then he recovered his spirit. "I will baulk him yet!" he exclaimed, his
+pink eyes flashing, and his white fur bristling with excitement.
+
+"How can I help you?" asked the Owl. "I will endeavor to keep awake as
+long as I am wanted."
+
+"Wait a moment," answered the Rabbit, and then he beat a tattoo
+thoughtfully on his drum. "I think I have arrived at a conclusion," he
+said presently. "I will meet their dastardly plot by a counter-plot. I
+do not expect the Mouse back for another half-hour; he told me he should
+be busy till half-past twelve putting away our recent earnings. This
+will just give us time to do what I wish.
+
+"Here is _my_ plot," he continued. "Having procured a bottle of gum we
+will go to the sentry-box, at the back of which you will take up your
+position. I will tell the Sentry you have been telling me a most comical
+little dream you have had--the one, indeed, you told me of late. He is a
+great fellow for good stories, and will certainly hurry off to hear it.
+
+"Whilst he is away I will spread the bottom of the sentry-box with gum.
+When, on his return, he steps into the box, I shall keep him still, and
+give the gum time to take effect, by offering him a bet of a gold piece
+that he will not stand perfectly motionless whilst I go home and back.
+He is very fond of a bet, and is sure to accept it. Leaving you to see
+that he acts fairly, I shall go and meet the Mouse, returning here for
+the performance which is to be suggested.
+
+"That, however, I shall cut short, having no desire to waste my talent
+on a villain like the Sentry. I shall turn away with the Mouse, who, on
+giving the signal agreed upon, will, to his amazement, find that it is
+followed by no result. For by that time the Sentry will be gummed so
+tightly to the floor of his sentry-box that he will not be able to move
+an inch.
+
+"Having enjoyed the sight of their confusion I shall punish them, biting
+off the head of the Mouse--for whose deceit no punishment can be too
+severe,--and beating the Sentry about the head until he can't see out of
+his eyes. Nor shall the Horse escape my vengeance. I shall creep into
+his stall, and suddenly, and with a precise aim, throw a piece of gold
+at the pupils of his wicked eyes. Thus he will be totally blinded by the
+gold he has wrongfully helped to keep. A most fit and proper
+punishment."
+
+"Your plans are well and thoughtfully worked out," said the Owl,
+blinking his eyes.
+
+"To business, then," remarked the Rabbit; and the two having first
+procured the gum took their way to the sentry-box; the Rabbit strolling
+thither on his hind-legs to avoid any appearance of alarm or haste, the
+Owl hopping by his side with a certain grave and sleepy dignity.
+
+Arrived at the sentry-box, the Owl placed himself behind it, whilst the
+Rabbit, concealing the bottle of gum under his drum, went to the front
+and bid the Sentry "good-day."
+
+"Good-day," said the Sentry. "What are you grinning at?" For the Rabbit
+was smiling from ear to ear.
+
+"Nothing of much consequence," he replied. "Merely a most comical little
+dream that the Owl--who happens for a wonder to be awake--has been
+telling me. It made me die of laughter."
+
+"Pass it on," said the Sentry.
+
+"I shouldn't think of doing that," replied the Rabbit. "I don't approve
+of telling people's own particular little stories; they prefer the fun
+of relating them themselves. Look here, you go round for a moment or two
+and get him to let you hear it before he drops asleep again. It is an
+occasion to seize, for he is hardly ever awake when other people are,
+and he tells a story better than anyone else I know."
+
+"Well, I rather think I will," answered the Sentry. "I'm very fond of a
+good story. You take my place whilst I'm away, there's a good fellow.
+Here, put down your drum and take my bayonet."
+
+"Very good," answered the Rabbit, and the Sentry hurried off.
+
+The moment he had turned the corner the Rabbit set to work and spread
+gum all over the floor of the sentry-box. Then, standing outside, he
+took up the bayonet and mounted guard, first carefully hiding the
+tell-tale bottle behind a box of bricks. By and by the Sentry returned.
+
+"Well, it was not a very good story after all," he said rudely. "Thank
+you for nothing. Why aren't you in the sentry-box? I am inclined to
+bayonet you for breaking your word."
+
+"I should not have been able to move about sufficiently," the Rabbit
+answered. "I should have suffered from cramp."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" the Sentry replied. "I stand in it for hours at a
+time."
+
+"But not without moving?" asked the Rabbit, with an air of disbelief.
+"Without stirring an eighth of an inch," the Sentry said.
+
+"I don't believe it," replied the Rabbit. "I challenge you to keep
+perfectly still for any length of time. I bet you a gold piece you won't
+stand motionless whilst I run home and back again."
+
+"Done!" said the Sentry, and straightway stepped into his box.
+
+"This sentry-box gets slimy and dirty," he said, without the least idea
+of what the Rabbit had done. "It is quite sticky with dirt. It wouldn't
+be a bad thing if you were to clean it out for me some day."
+
+"I'll see," answered the other carelessly, fearing to be either too
+polite or too rude lest he should arouse any suspicions in the Sentry's
+mind. "I don't generally care to do other people's dirty work, but I may
+do that some day when I am not busy. You serve your country, so you
+deserve a little help."
+
+"If you don't do it willingly, you shall do it unwillingly," he
+blustered. "If _I_ serve my country, _you_ must serve me."
+
+"There's plenty of time to think it over," answered the Rabbit. "In the
+meanwhile, you can't stir even to have it cleaned or you lose your bet.
+I'm off. But wait, I must call the Owl to be a witness that you keep
+strictly to the terms we have agreed upon."
+
+Then, having called the Owl and stated the terms of the bet, the Rabbit
+went home.
+
+Here he awaited the arrival of the Mouse, who presently returned, full
+of pretended sympathy for the dulness of the Sentry's life.
+
+"He told me to-day," said the little rascal, "that the dulness of his
+life was killing him. It struck me that it would be really an act of
+charity on our part to give him a little performance, and let him fully
+understand we expect no money for it. I hinted at something of the sort
+to him, and the poor fellow's face lighted up in a way that was quite
+touching. Suppose we go his way now as we have a little spare time."
+
+"I'm quite willing to," replied the Rabbit. "But I've just come from
+him, and he never complained of dulness to me. In fact, he was in quite
+good enough spirits to have a bet with me on the subject of his being
+able to stand motionless for a certain time."
+
+"Oh, he did that to try and kill care, no doubt," answered the Mouse. "I
+know him well, though he is a reserved chap and opens out his heart to
+few. Come on."
+
+Now by the time the Rabbit and the Mouse returned to the sentry-box, the
+gum had had time to get well dried, so that the Sentry was firmly fixed
+in his box. Nevertheless, there was still the danger that he might
+attempt to move, and so find out too soon the trick that had been played
+upon him. To avert this, directly the Rabbit came back again he lost no
+time in remarking to the Sentry:
+
+"Yes, I acknowledge you have won the bet. But you have only just managed
+to do so; you are looking quite tired out. Another five minutes or less,
+and you would have been unable to stand still a moment longer."
+
+"Double or quits!" cried the Sentry. "For another gold piece, I'll
+engage to keep still for the time you mention. If I fail to do so, of
+course you don't pay me anything."
+
+"Agreed," said the Rabbit.
+
+"Oh, friends," exclaimed the Mouse, shaking his head, "do not give way
+to this habit! It is, indeed, a sad, bad one."
+
+This he merely said to impress the Owl (on whom he had not counted as a
+spectator) with a sense of his moral worth. He hoped by this means to
+counteract any after suspicions that might arise in the good bird's
+mind.
+
+"As to that," said the Sentry, who was generally rude whether he was
+addressing friend or foe, "it is my own concern whether I bet or not.
+You had better not trouble yourself with my affairs, but if you really
+mean to give me one of your performances you would do well to begin."
+
+"Just as you will," the Mouse said. "But I can't help taking an
+interest in the welfare of those with whom I have to do." Then
+addressing the Rabbit: "Dear friend," he said smoothly, "will you open
+with your famous _rêverie_, 'Dreamings of a Drum,' whilst I perform my
+_pas de quatre_, 'Twirlings of the Toes?'"
+
+"Very good," agreed the Rabbit.
+
+And the two performers began. But in a few moments the Rabbit stopped.
+
+"I cannot continue," he said. "I am suffering from cramp in the muscles
+of my drum-legs."
+
+"Dear! What a pity!" exclaimed the Mouse. "Come for a walk and brace
+yourself up."
+
+"All right!" answered the Rabbit. "We'll go and fetch the gold pieces
+which I must give this fellow."
+
+"Can't you give me something at once?" asked the Sentry, who did not, in
+his greed of gold, wish to lose the chance of getting all he could.
+
+"I've nothing with me," replied the Rabbit. And so saying he followed
+the Mouse, who with his back towards the Sentry had already moved away.
+
+They had hardly gone more than half a dozen steps when the Mouse said
+suddenly and loudly: "That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_
+knows how to handle the bayonet."
+
+"You are right," answered the Rabbit, and walked on, the Mouse doing
+the same, though with lagging steps.
+
+Presently a look of anger and wonder crept into his eyes, remarking
+which the Rabbit laughed.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" asked the Mouse uneasily.
+
+"At nothing particular," answered his companion. "Cheerfulness, you
+know, is a habit of the mind."
+
+At this moment a loud groan burst from the Sentry, who during this time
+had been struggling to get free, and in a last frantic effort, had just
+succeeded in giving a most painful rick to his back.
+
+"Our Sentry friend does not look happy," said the Rabbit grimly.
+
+"He is not well, I suppose," answered the Mouse nervously. "What has
+happened, I wonder?"
+
+"ALL IS DISCOVERED!" exclaimed the Rabbit loudly.
+
+Then as the Mouse made a desperate effort to run away, the Rabbit dealt
+him a blow on the back which injured the clockwork within his body and
+quite put a stop to his flight.
+
+"I know all!" the Rabbit said sternly. "You are a little villain! What
+defence can you offer for so grossly deceiving me?"
+
+But the Mouse made no reply. In a fury of disappointment and fear he was
+biting the Rabbit's legs, hoping thus to disable him and prevent his
+punishing the treachery that had been brought to light.
+
+"Desist!" cried the Rabbit, "or I shall end your life without delay. I
+repeat, what excuse can you offer for having so wickedly broken the
+terms of our agreement? You have tried to rob me of my life and my
+money. Make your defence."
+
+"There was no written agreement," answered the Mouse shamelessly. "Each
+was at liberty to understand it in his own way."
+
+"Most wicked of animals, you are not fit to live," cried the Rabbit with
+disgust. "Your moments are numbered."
+
+Then before the Mouse could offer any protest, the Rabbit bit his head
+right off and swallowed it.
+
+"You will observe," said the Rabbit to the Owl with dignity, "that I
+still maintain my proper position in the eyes of the world as a Welsh
+rare-bit, but the Mouse, owing to his misdeeds, is now in the
+contemptible state of the biter bit. Such is the end of the wicked.
+
+"As for you," he continued to the Sentry, who, with his boastful spirit
+crushed, stood trembling in the Sentry-box; "as for you, you have seen
+too much of the world and its ways. It would be better for you to see a
+little less of it for a time."
+
+Then, according to his intention, the Rabbit beat the Sentry about the
+head until he could not see out of his eyes.
+
+"It now only remains to deal with the Horse. I go to give him the due
+reward of his deeds," the Rabbit remarked, taking up his drum and
+preparing to leave. But pausing a moment he added to the Owl: "With
+regard to you, my good friend, if ever an opportunity arises by which I
+can show you my gratitude for your kind services, rest assured that I
+shall eagerly avail myself of it."
+
+Now, the next morning the woman who keeps this shop spoke severely to
+her own little girl.
+
+"You have been touching the toys and damaging them," she said with
+anger. "See what mischief you have done! You have knocked off the head
+of this mouse--and, what is more, I can't find it anywhere,--you have
+rubbed all the paint off this sentry's face, and you have broken the
+glass eyes of this brown horse. You shall be punished."
+
+The little girl began to whimper.
+
+"I have not hurt the toys," she said. "I have never touched them since
+you put me to bed for breaking the baby doll."
+
+The woman looked puzzled: "If you say you haven't, you haven't, I
+suppose," she said, "for I know you are a truthful child. Then how has
+it happened? I shouldn't think any customer would do it without my
+noticing. I can't understand it."
+
+Nor can she to this day. But we can: you, the Rabbit, the Owl, the
+Sentry, the Horse, and myself. But not the Mouse, for he has lost his
+head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+Here the little Marionette paused.
+
+"That is all," she said.
+
+"What a good thing that the Mouse had his head bitten off," said the
+little girl thoughtfully.
+
+"It was just as well," the Marionette answered, "since he could use it
+to no better purpose."
+
+"Some of the toys were very wicked in that story, I think; dreadfully
+wicked."
+
+"I think the same. They were bad, wicked toys, with bad, wicked ways."
+
+"Are many of the toys you know as wicked as that?" asked Molly.
+
+"Oh, dear no!" said the little Marionette, quite shocked. "Most of my
+friends and acquaintances are really wonderfully well-behaved."
+
+"Do you know, I should like you next time to tell me about one of them."
+
+"About some one simple, perhaps?"
+
+"Yes, I think so."
+
+The little Marionette thought a moment.
+
+Then she said: "I know of no one more simple than Belinda."
+
+"Tell me about her, if you please."
+
+"Very good. You shall hear of Belinda and her simplicity."
+
+So the next day she told her friend the story of "Belinda."
+
+
+
+
+BELINDA
+
+
+Belinda was a little wax doll who had a most charming way of opening and
+shutting her eyes. When Mortals were about, she could not do it unless
+they helped by pulling a wire. But when once the shop was closed, and
+the toys, left to themselves, could move at pleasure, _then_ Belinda
+pulled her own wires and opened and shut her eyes as she pleased. She
+did this in so simple and unaffected a fashion that it delighted
+everyone to see her.
+
+"What simplicity! what delightful simplicity!" said the other toys.
+"'Tis really charming!"
+
+"Singularly simple," repeated the Butcher, who always stood at the door
+of his shop, watching for the customers that so seldom came. "She is
+like an innocent lamb," he added, his thoughts turning to his trade; "a
+simple, harmless lamb."
+
+"Elle est très gentille, la petite Belinde," remarked Mademoiselle
+Cerise, the French doll just arrived from Paris. "Elle est une jeune
+fille fort bien élevée; elle ferme les yeux d'une façon vraiment
+ravissante."
+
+"Here we are again, Simplicity and Self!" said the Clown, turning a
+somersault and landing by Belinda's side with a broad grin upon his
+face.
+
+She made no reply, but instantly closed her eyes. She was not quite sure
+but that he was laughing at her, so she thought it more prudent not to
+see him.
+
+"There! did you notice?" ... "Wasn't it pretty and simple?" said all the
+Toys to one another as they looked at Belinda.
+
+I must, however, make an exception when I say "all" the Toys. There was
+one who did not utter a word. This was Jack, the curly-headed
+Sailor-Boy, who was deeply in love with Belinda. He was so unhappy about
+the matter that he feared to speak of her lest in so doing the thought
+of his sorrow should make him shed unmanly tears in public.
+
+I will tell you the cause of his grief. He could not make her see how
+much he loved her. Whenever he came near her she immediately closed her
+eyes. So that it did not matter what expression he assumed, it was all
+wasted on Belinda. He worried himself about it very much.
+
+"Is it," said he to himself, "because she doesn't happen to see, or
+because she doesn't wish to see? How can I make her open her eyes? Shall
+I speak to her coldly or gently, with mirth or with melancholy, in
+poetry or in prose?"
+
+"I will be poetical," he resolved; "I will sing her a song of love. That
+may induce her to open her eyes."
+
+Now Jack was only a simple Sailor-Lad; he knew little music and less
+poetry. A few sea-songs and one or two little ballads, these were all he
+had to trust to, and he could think of none that seemed suitable to the
+occasion.
+
+He thought long, and finally remembered the beginning of an old song
+which, with a little alteration, would, he decided, do very well. So, in
+a rough but tender voice, he thus sang to his lady-love:--
+
+    "Of all the girls I love so well,
+      There's none I love like 'Linder;
+    She is the darling of my heart,--
+      And Linder rhymes with cinder."
+
+"This," he said to himself, "will teach her how deep and how true my
+love is for her. _This_ should open her eyes."
+
+But Belinda, quite unmoved, sat with them tightly closed.
+
+"I will try again," he said to himself. And he sang the verse once more,
+though this time his voice shook so greatly with emotion that he was
+obliged to stop in the middle in order to steady it.
+
+After this he sat silent, hoping that Belinda would even now open her
+eyes.
+
+"Then," said he, "she will see how sad I look, and she will surely be
+touched."
+
+But disappointment was again his lot. She never opened even half an eye.
+
+"Shiver my timbers!" said the luckless Sailor-Lad, "she'll be the death
+of me."
+
+And he went away mournfully whistling "_The Death of Nelson_."
+
+Then he tried to startle her by suddenly shouting within her hearing a
+few seafaring expressions he knew. "Hard-a-port! Lay aft! Yo, heave ho!"
+
+She half-opened her eyes, but immediately closed them again. "Those
+expressions sound a little rough," she remarked.
+
+He felt sorely tried.
+
+"None so blind as those who _won't_ see, my lass," he said one day.
+
+"I should have thought," she answered with unaffected surprise, "it was
+those who _can't_ see."
+
+"Have you looked up through the sky-light this afternoon?" he asked.
+"The sunset is glorious."
+
+"Describe it to me. I love descriptions," she said with simple
+enthusiasm.
+
+"You had better see it for yourself," he said crossly and turned away.
+He felt so wretched that really he would have liked to go to sea.
+
+He sighed again,--and looked back at Belinda. Why, her eyes were open!
+He hurried over to her, pinching with great energy his arm as he went,
+in order to make himself tearful, and thus, if possible, appear more
+miserable than he already did. The tears did come, but just as he got to
+Belinda she closed her eyes once more.
+
+"The sunset is indeed perfect," she said, "I have been watching it till
+my eyes ache, and I cannot keep them open any longer."
+
+"I look just as if I had a cold in my head. You can see that for
+yourself, can't you?" he asked, hoping that this question would induce
+her to glance at him and observe his tears.
+
+"Why, no," she answered, "I can't because my eyes are closed. But if you
+say so, I suppose you must be correct."
+
+"Belinda, I love you," said he.
+
+"Thank you very much," answered she. "Isn't it extraordinary weather for
+this time of the year? I can hardly believe that we are in the middle
+of summer."
+
+Poor Jack left in despair, and this time he whistled a funeral march.
+
+But like a true-hearted sailor, he resolved to try again. So the next
+day he said to her:
+
+"Belinda, I'm afraid we are going to have heavy weather, there are so
+many clouds overhead. Look up out of the sky-light and you will see for
+yourself."
+
+"I would rather not," she said, keeping her eyes tightly closed. "I
+don't like seeing clouds; it depresses my spirits."
+
+"You can look out of the sky-light _now_," he said to her later,
+"without being afraid of seeing the clouds. They have all cleared away
+and it is blue again."
+
+"Then I can enjoy my afternoon nap," she remarked simply, "without fear
+of thunder."
+
+And on this occasion the poor curly-headed Sailor felt too miserable
+even to attempt whistling; he went away in dumb despair!
+
+It was just about this time that Mademoiselle Cerise was bought by a
+lady as a present for her little god-daughter.
+
+"But the color of the doll's dress has become faded," said the lady.
+"She must have a new one before I take her."
+
+"That can easily be arranged in a day," said the owner of the shop.
+
+"Very well," answered the lady, "then I will buy her. You need not send
+her. I will bring my little friend with me to-morrow afternoon when we
+shall be passing your shop. She will like to carry her new doll through
+the streets."
+
+Next morning when Mademoiselle Cerise was brought back to the shop after
+having been absent since the previous afternoon, the Sailor-Lad was
+struck by something very familiar about the appearance of her new blue
+muslin dress. At first he could not think why. Then he understood; the
+muslin was--so it seemed to him--of exactly the same pattern and
+exactly the same color as Belinda's dress.
+
+As he realized this a sudden thought struck him, upon which he acted
+without delay.
+
+Coming up to Belinda softly, who was sitting with her eyes closed, he
+exclaimed loudly and suddenly in her ear: "Belinda, Belinda!
+Mademoiselle Cerise has on a dress precisely like yours!"
+
+"No!" she said, and opened her eyes in a moment. She gazed around
+anxiously for Mademoiselle Cerise, but the Sailor-Boy placed himself
+right before her and looked at her as adoringly as he knew how.
+
+"Oh, Belinda," he said, "how I love you!"
+
+"Do you?" said she with great surprise. "Well, you don't love me more
+than I love you."
+
+"You make me very happy, my lass," said he. "But why are you astonished
+at my saying I love you? Have I not told you so before?"
+
+"I thought you were quizzing," she answered.
+
+"The sad expression of my face should have told you I was not quizzing,"
+he replied.
+
+"How could I tell what your expression was when I never saw it?" she
+asked with some reproach.
+
+"You did not see it because you always closed your eyes when I spoke to
+you," he replied. "What made you do that?"
+
+Belinda thought a moment
+
+"It was merely a habit I had fallen into," said she.
+
+"You should never become a slave to a habit," replied the curly-headed
+Sailor-Lad. He spoke reprovingly, as he thought of his many heart-aches.
+
+She did not like to be reproved, so she changed the subject.
+
+"You made a mistake," she said. "Mademoiselle Cerise's dress is very
+pretty, but it is not _precisely_ like mine; the pattern is larger and a
+little louder, and the color is lighter and a little harsher."
+
+"Well, perhaps," said the Sailor-Lad. He spoke very cheerful now, he
+felt in such good spirits.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I am very glad that the Sailor-Boy was happy at last," said the little
+girl. "I was afraid Belinda never meant to open her eyes."
+
+"It certainly looked like it at one time," answered the little
+Marionette. "However, it was all right in the end, for she opened them
+in time to prevent her Sailor-Boy's heart from breaking."
+
+"I wonder why she kept them closed so long."
+
+"I wonder," reflected the little Marionette. And she smiled.
+
+"Force of habit, I suppose, as she herself said," she remarked after a
+pause. "We all have our little ways. Now what sort of story would you
+like to-morrow?"
+
+The little girl thought deeply for a few moments. Then she said: "You
+have told me a story about a sailor, so I should like the next one to be
+about a soldier."
+
+"A soldier--a soldier--" the Marionette answered. "I don't think I know
+one about a soldier--Yes, stay; there is the story of the Officer and
+the Elephant. That is about a soldier."
+
+"An Officer and an Elephant! How nice!" exclaimed the little girl
+eagerly. "I am quite certain it must be very funny."
+
+"I don't think the Officer found it so," the little lady replied, giving
+a sweet, little tinkling laugh.
+
+"Didn't he?" asked her listener with much interest.
+
+"I wish you would tell me all about it now," she continued; "I want so
+much to hear it."
+
+"Not now," replied the little Marionette, "it is getting too late; all
+the animals in the Noah's Ark are fast asleep. Listen, they are snoring
+loudly. Come to-morrow at the same time. Be punctual, for the story is a
+long one."
+
+"Yes, I will," promised the little girl.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+The next day she was as good as her word, arriving to the very minute. It
+was the little Marionette who was not in time. It was quite five minutes
+before she tripped up the counter and greeted her little friend. The
+little girl looked at her with some reproach.
+
+"It is _you_ who are late, not I," she said.
+
+"Is it?" replied the little Marionette. "Well, I _am_ ashamed. However,
+here I am now, so I will begin at once to tell you my tale."
+
+And settling herself down, and smoothing out her beautiful brocade
+dress, she began without further ado, the story of: "The Officer and
+the Elephant."
+
+
+
+
+THE OFFICER & THE ELEPHANT
+
+
+Amongst all the Toys in the toy-shop, none were so disliked and feared
+as the twelve Wooden Soldiers who, with an imposing Officer at their
+head, proudly faced the world in double file.
+
+In the first place, they were intensely proud and vain. They showed this
+in everything they did. For example, their drill was of the most simple
+description. It merely consisted in their moving backwards and forwards
+from one another on a platform of sticks, which could be drawn out or in
+at pleasure.
+
+This, it will easily be believed, required no great skill or knowledge.
+Yet, to judge from the pride expressed upon the faces of the Wooden
+Soldiers as they went through this simple movement, one would have
+certainly imagined it was exceedingly difficult.
+
+Their foolish pride was also displayed in their manner towards others.
+No one ventured to ask them even the most civil of questions for fear of
+receiving a rude answer. Father Christmas one afternoon happened to
+inquire at the Commanding-officer what time it was.
+
+"Time," he replied, "for little boys to be in bed."
+
+"You might," said the patriarch gravely, "have shown a little respect
+for the length of my beard and the whiteness of my hairs. 'Tis hardly
+the way to speak to a man of my years and standing. One, too, who with
+the decline of the year expects to be at the top of the tree."
+
+But the Officer merely laughed loudly and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+From this instance, which is only one example of many, you will easily
+understand how the Wooden Soldiers came to be disliked in the toy-shop.
+
+As for the fear they inspired, this was partly owing to the long swords
+they wore, and partly owing to the boasting way in which they vowed they
+could use them.
+
+"My men and I really command the whole shop," said the Officer one day.
+"Moreover, who faces one, faces all, for we all march in the same
+direction. We not only have our good swords, but we know how to use
+them. They are sheathed now, but let no one count upon that to offend
+us. Let but a foolhardy toy dare insult us, and--" here he gave the word
+of command, and instantly a dozen and one swords sprang from their
+scabbards.
+
+The lady Dolls shrieked, the Grocer and the Butcher began to put up
+their shutters with trembling hands; the white, furry Rabbit became a
+shade whiter; and the corners of the Clown's mouth dropped instead of
+going up as usual. It was plain that a general panic was felt.
+
+The only Toy that did not appear to be affected was the great gray
+Elephant lately arrived. He twisted his trunk round thoughtfully, but
+never changed countenance.
+
+The Officer saw the general terror he had inspired, and both he and his
+Soldiers were well pleased.
+
+"Besides," he continued, speaking more loudly than before, "if our
+swords fail us we shall have recourse to gunpowder, which will make
+short work of our enemies."
+
+The Elephant looked at the Officer and his men.
+
+"I don't see it," he said bluntly.
+
+"I didn't suppose you would," said the Officer scornfully. "Don't speak
+in such a hurry. The powder I'm speaking of is felt but not seen. It's
+our last improvement, arrived at by slow degrees. Gunpowder,--smokeless
+gunpowder,--soundless gunpowder,--invisible gunpowder. Thus we may
+surround an enemy with enough gunpowder to blow up a town, but they
+neither see it nor hear it. In fact, they know nothing about it until
+they are blown up."
+
+This time all the Toys nearly expired with fright! The Elephant only
+remained, as before, unmoved.
+
+"Invisible gunpowder is more humane in the end," the Officer continued.
+"You are quite unaware of what is happening until you find yourself in
+pieces."
+
+"The same thing may happen to yourself, I suppose?" asked the Elephant,
+in his heavy and clumsy fashion.
+
+"Beg pardon; did anyone speak?" inquired the Officer in the most
+insulting of voices. For he despised the Elephant and wished to snub
+him.
+
+"I asked you if the same might not happen to yourself?" the Elephant
+repeated, regardless of the Officer's attempt to make him appear
+foolish. "What if the enemy serves you the same way?"
+
+"That difficulty, my good beast," he answered in his most overbearing
+manner, "is easily disposed of. We have special Soldiers trained to
+_smell_ gunpowder. We have merely to send out these scouts, and we can
+trace the gunpowder anywhere within gunshot."
+
+"I don't believe it," said the Elephant.
+
+The Officer at this laughed a grim laugh, truly awful to hear.
+
+"Ha, Ha!" he exclaimed; "do not provoke me too far lest I slay you with
+my sword. I'm a man of sport, and to do the act would cause me no little
+diversion. Beware!"
+
+The Elephant made no reply, which induced the Officer to think he had
+frightened him.
+
+"A great clumsy beast of no spirit," he said to his Soldiers.
+
+"Right, sir," answered the Soldiers.
+
+"Now to drill," he continued sharply. "Attention! Eyes right, eyes
+left; right movement, left movement; swords out, swords in!
+Mark--_time_!"
+
+This last command they were obliged to obey with their heads, their feet
+being tightly gummed on to the platform. So tightly gummed that they
+could not get free even when Mortals were not present, and all the Toys
+were at liberty to speak, walk, and talk. Indeed, nothing but a strong
+blow could possibly loosen them from their position.
+
+Therefore, when they marched or even took a simple walk they were
+obliged to march or walk in a body, taking the platform with them.
+Again, if the Commanding-officer granted leave of absence to one, he was
+obliged to grant it to all, even to himself, otherwise no one could have
+taken it.
+
+"Come," said the Officer to the Elephant one day, "you are a bright
+beast. Let me propound you a mathematical problem. If a herring and a
+half cost three halfpence, how much would six herrings cost?"
+
+"Just as much as they ought to, if you went to an honest fishmonger,"
+answered the Elephant.
+
+The Officer and his men laughed loudly.
+
+"Capital, capital!" said the bully. "If you distinguish yourself in this
+way we shall have to make you Mathematical Instructor-in-General to the
+whole army."
+
+But the Elephant made no reply.
+
+"That's the thickest-skinned animal I ever met," said the Officer to his
+men.
+
+But herein he made a mistake. The Elephant never forgot an insult, but
+paid it back upon the first opportunity.
+
+The opportunity, in this case, was not long in arriving; it came,
+indeed, all too soon for the Officer's taste.
+
+It occurred in this way.
+
+One day a little boy came into the shop and asked to look at some
+soldiers, upon which the shopwoman showed him the wooden warriors.
+
+"No, I don't like them," he said; "they have to move all the same way at
+once. It is very stupid of them. Have you no others?"
+
+"Not just at the moment," replied the shopwoman. "We are expecting some
+more. They should have been here several days ago."
+
+"Then I'll take a train," said the boy. "But it is very funny that you
+should have such a poor lot of soldiers as these."
+
+"That silly remark will make the Toys less afraid of us," thought the
+Officer to himself with some alarm. "I shall make the men practise
+sword-drill in the most open fashion for several hours. This will remind
+the world that we are not to be trifled with."
+
+But it is one thing to make a resolution and quite another thing to
+carry it into effect. This the Officer was to experience ere the day was
+over.
+
+For in putting the Soldiers back into their place the shopwoman happened
+to hit the Officer with some force against a dolls' house. Being a very
+hard blow it knocked him off the platform, and, unnoticed by her, he
+fell on his back upon the counter.
+
+Now came the time for the Elephant's revenge. _The Officer fell just
+under the animal's trunk!_
+
+It was, as the Officer at once realized, by no means a pleasant
+situation. As his men were some yards away from him, and unable to come
+in a body to his rescue till perhaps too late, the Officer was
+exceedingly uneasy.
+
+"I had better soothe the monster," he said to himself. Then aloud, and
+in a pleasant voice: "What a nice handy trunk that is of yours; you must
+be able to carry so much in it? As for me, I have to travel with a
+portmanteau, a Gladstone-bag, a hat-box, and a gun-case; it is a
+terrible nuisance."
+
+He paused, but the Elephant made no reply.
+
+"This is not very pleasant," said the Officer uneasily to himself. "I
+fear the beast is of a sulky temper. What _will_ happen to me?"
+
+And he lay still, trembling and fearful.
+
+At last the day closed in, the Mortals shut up the shop and left, and
+the time of the Toys arrived.
+
+The Elephant then addressed the Officer in a slow voice and ponderous
+manner.
+
+"I feel inclined to trample on you," he remarked.
+
+The Officer closed his eyes with terror; then, half-opening them, he
+endeavored to look defiantly and speak boldly.
+
+"Pre-pre-sump-tu-tu-ous b-b-b-beast!" he faltered.
+
+The Elephant looked at him threateningly.
+
+"It was on-on-ly my f-f-un!" stammered the Officer, trembling with fear,
+and all the crimson fading from his cheeks.
+
+"Do you wish me to spare your life?" asked the Elephant.
+
+"It is very valuable," the Officer replied more calmly as he regained
+courage, and unable to forget his foolish pride even in that awful
+moment.
+
+"The world can do without it," said the great beast threateningly.
+
+"Spare me!" cried the coward and bully.
+
+The Elephant paused.
+
+"Very good," he answered, "but only upon my own conditions."
+
+"Certainly, certainly," the Officer said in a fawning voice. "Many
+thanks; any conditions that you may think proper."
+
+After this the Elephant thought for a long while. Then he said:
+
+"These are my conditions. You must submit to let me carry you up and
+down the counter, stopping before such Toys as I shall see fit. And
+whenever I stop, you are to announce yourself in these words:
+'Good-evening. Have you kicked the coward and the bully? The real
+genuine article, no imitation. If you have not kicked him already, kick
+him without delay.'"
+
+"It is too bad of you to require me to say this," the Officer cried, his
+anger for the moment overcoming his fear. "But then you are not a
+gentleman. You are--"
+
+"When you have done," interrupted the Elephant, "I will begin."
+
+So saying, and amidst the intense excitement of the other Toys, the
+Elephant, with his trunk, slowly picked up his fallen foe by the back of
+the coat and began his ponderous march--so triumphant for himself, so
+humiliating for the Officer.
+
+The programme was carried out exactly as the Elephant had said it should
+be, for the great gray beast was a beast of his word. He never made up
+his mind in a foolish hurry, but having made it up he rarely altered it.
+
+And so it was upon this occasion. After every few steps the huge
+creature stopped before one or another of the Toys, when the former
+tyrant was obliged to announce himself as a coward and a bully, and
+invite a kicking, an invitation which was always accepted, and acted
+upon with much heartiness.
+
+Finally the avenger laid the Officer on the platform, from which the
+Wooden Soldiers had been watching with amazement and horror the journey
+of the Commanding-officer; understanding as they did for the first time
+the strength of the great beast and afraid to interfere.
+
+Having placed his humble foe in his old position, only upon his back
+instead of upon his feet, the Elephant with his trunk deliberately
+knocked over all the Soldiers one after the other. Then he grunted and
+walked slowly away.
+
+So ended the reign of terror which the Officer and his Soldiers had
+established over the toy-shop. And so universal was the relief
+experienced after the strain that had been felt, that the Elephant was
+everywhere hailed as a Friend to the Public. Indeed, during the
+remainder of his stay in the shop, he was treated with greater respect
+and deference than any other toy,--Father Christmas only excepted,--and
+when he left at Christmas-time, the regret expressed was both loud and
+sincere.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+"I am a little bit sorry for the Officer," said the little girl. "He
+must have been a good deal hurt. And he must have felt very silly, too,"
+she added.
+
+"Almost worse than being hurt, isn't it?" said the little Marionette.
+"Yes, I was a little sorry for him myself; but I think he deserved all
+he got."
+
+"Yes; because he _was_ a horrid bully, wasn't he?" said the little girl.
+"And his men, too, were as bad as he. I always used to like
+toy-soldiers. I never shall again."
+
+"I should not like you to judge of all soldiers by the wooden ones I
+have told you of," said the Marionette. "We _have_ had in the shop sets
+of wooden and tin soldiers of the highest character; gallant fellows,
+beloved and esteemed by all. I will tell you of them to-morrow if you
+like."
+
+The little girl considered a moment.
+
+"I think," she said at length, "I would rather hear something quite
+different for a change. If you do not mind," she added politely.
+
+"Not in the least," replied the little lady. "I shall think of a story
+that shall have nothing to do with soldiers, good, bad, or indifferent."
+
+So on the morrow when they met again the Marionette said:
+
+"I have thought of quite a different sort of story to the one I told you
+yesterday."
+
+"Thank you," said her little friend. "Please begin."
+
+"Yes," she said as the little Marionette remained silent.
+"Yes--yes--_do_ begin!"
+
+"Patience, patience! I am just considering for a moment if I have the
+story correct in every respect. It is now some time since it happened,
+and one's memory is apt to play one tricks when one is telling stories
+of other people. But I think I remember it correctly. So I will begin
+without further delay the history of: 'The Little Dancer.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE DANCER
+
+
+There never was a prettier dancer than the Little Dancer of the frizzy
+dark hair, and the blue tulle dress with silver spangles.
+
+Forward, backward, forward, backward went her little feet with rapid,
+dainty movement, whilst the small musical-box--on the top of which she
+gracefully danced--tinkled, tinkled, tinkled out its gay little tune,
+and all the Toys watched her with the greatest delight.
+
+Truly she bewitched all who saw her, and gained much admiration. But she
+was very modest, and not at all conceited, so that she was not only
+admired but also loved; which, as you will agree, is far better.
+
+She took life very easily and happily, till it happened one day that she
+saw the Bicycle-man, and unfortunately fell in love with him as he went
+by. He was a very handsome fellow, and made a good appearance upon his
+bicycle.
+
+Directly the Little Dancer saw him she loved him, and she lost no time
+in telling him so. She spoke without any hesitation.
+
+"Dear heart, I love you," she said as she danced.
+
+Now the Bicycle-man was very vain, and was therefore not a little
+gratified at the impression he had made. But he pretended to be much
+displeased.
+
+"You should not have said that until I had first said something of the
+sort," replied the Bicycle-man. "It was not your place to speak first.
+You are very forward."
+
+And he rode on.
+
+The Little Dancer was much distressed.
+
+"He is angry," she said to her friend the Little China Doll next to her,
+with the two long flaxen pigtails hanging down her back.
+
+"He is angry." And she danced more slowly and less gaily.
+
+"What of that?" said her friend, tossing her head. "It is of no
+consequence."
+
+"No; it is of no consequence," repeated the Little Dancer. But she felt
+unhappy.
+
+The next day the Bicycle-man passed that way again, and she danced her
+very best, hoping to win his heart.
+
+"That is really not bad," he said; "not at all bad. You dance quite
+nicely, as dancing goes."
+
+"Oh sweetheart, I love you!" she said, encouraged by his praise.
+
+"I really cannot stand such remarks," said the Bicycle-man. "They make
+me both angry and confused."
+
+And he went on, leaving her in tears.
+
+"Why do you trouble about him?" said the Little China Doll. "He is not
+worth it. A penny Toy, indeed! You turn his head. Take no more notice of
+him."
+
+"I won't," replied the Little Dancer tearfully.
+
+So the next time he stopped to watch her dancing she did not speak to
+him.
+
+"You are getting rude now," he said. "I am not sure whether that is not
+worse than being forward."
+
+"What shall I say?" asked the Little Dancer. "My words do not please
+you."
+
+"I should not be displeased if you were to say 'good-day'," he replied.
+"It would only be polite, and I never find fault with politeness."
+
+"Good-day," she said, as she practised her steps.
+
+"Is that all?" he inquired.
+
+"That is all," she answered.
+
+"I have a bit of news for you," he said. "I am thinking of marrying the
+doll to whom the Red House belongs. It is a comfortable house, well
+built, and well appointed. You shall come and have tea with us."
+
+The Little Dancer burst into tears, and her feet moved more slowly.
+
+"Why are you crying?" asked the Bicycle-man, with pretended surprise.
+
+"Dear heart, Oh dear heart, I love you!" she wept.
+
+"Well, well, so do many others," he answered. "It isn't my fault"
+
+And mounting his bicycle he rode away.
+
+"Don't you see you are making him terribly conceited?" said the Little
+China Doll. "It is absurd of you. Try to be more sensible."
+
+"I love him so, I love him so!" sobbed the Little Dancer. "My heart is
+broken."
+
+On the morrow the Bicycle-man appeared as usual.
+
+"It is all settled," he said. "I hope to marry the doll to whom the Red
+House belongs, before the week is out. I fear my marriage will be a
+disappointment to many a lady."
+
+The Little Dancer made no reply: she was too heart-broken to utter a
+sound.
+
+"Are you not going to wish me happiness?" he asked.
+
+But the Little Dancer still spoke not. She danced faster and faster as
+the tears fell from her eyes.
+
+The Bicycle-man did not notice how quickly her tears were falling.
+
+"Your silence is a sad want of manners," he said. "Uncivility is far
+from attractive."
+
+Still the little Dancer made no answer; she could not speak, she was
+crying so bitterly.
+
+"Well, good-day," he said. "It is very evident that you did not pay the
+extra twopence for manners."
+
+Then he left.
+
+"Stop dancing," said the Little China Doll to the Little Dancer. "You
+are not in a fit state to dance. You will kill yourself."
+
+"I _must_ dance till I forget, or till I die," she answered--sobbing.
+
+And then she danced faster, _faster_, FASTER, till she went at quite a
+furious rate. Her little feet went to and fro so quickly you could
+hardly see them.
+
+The China Doll implored the poor Little Dancer to stop, but she did not
+heed her. She continued dancing, dancing, dancing all through the day,
+all through the evening, and far into the night. Till, at last,
+something within her went--_Snap_!
+
+And she fell flat on the ground, and the gay little tune stopped
+suddenly. The clockwork within her had broken. She had danced herself to
+death!
+
+The next morning the Bicycle-man came again.
+
+"The wedding is put off--" he began. Then he saw the lifeless form of
+the Little Dancer, and he turned pale.
+
+"You have killed her by your vanity," said the China Doll severely. "If
+you had stayed away she would have forgotten you. But you _would_ come
+because it pleased your conceit to hear her say she loved you, and to
+hear her lament because you did not love her. She has danced herself to
+death in her despair. Alas! Alas! My poor friend!"
+
+"I really believe I loved her after all," said the Bicycle-man in a sad
+voice. "What can I say or do to make some slight amends? Tell me."
+
+"There is nothing to be said or done," said the China Doll. "The poor
+Little Dancer is dead. It is too late! Go and marry the Doll of the Red
+House."
+
+"I don't want to _now_," he answered. "Henceforward my life shall be
+passed mourning for the Little Dancer who broke her heart because of me.
+And from this time I shall ride my bicycle sitting with my back to the
+handle, and with my hands behind me. It will be a most absurd position,
+but it will serve as a punishment to remind me of the sad end to which
+my vanity brought my poor little sweetheart."
+
+And he strictly kept his resolve. At first the other Toys laughed: then
+they wondered; then they inquired into the meaning of so strange a
+performance. And when they heard the story, such of them as had heads
+shook them, and all said gravely:
+
+"'Tis well and nobly meant. But it won't mend the poor Little Dancer's
+heart. Alas! Alack-a-day!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+When the tale was ended the little girl took out her handkerchief and
+wiped her eyes.
+
+"Come, this won't do," said the little Marionette. "I should not have
+told you the story if I had thought you were going to take it so much to
+heart."
+
+"I am very sorry for the poor Little Dancer," she replied sadly; "I wish
+that the Bicycle-man had not been so unkind."
+
+"Well, well, it is all over now. Wipe your eyes; you can't do any good
+by crying, and I don't like seeing tears," said her friend.
+
+"Never mind; I rather like feeling sad," Molly answered politely, though
+tearfully.
+
+"Still, a little sadness goes a long way," remarked the Marionette.
+"There is no doubt of that. I think I had better tell you something to
+amuse you now." She thought a moment and then she laughed.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" asked the little girl with curiosity.
+
+"At the remembrance of the Hansom-driver," she answered. "I never can
+think of him without laughing. Shall I tell you his story? I shall have
+time to do so this evening, for it is short, like the one I have just
+finished." And she began the story of: "The Hansom-driver."
+
+
+
+
+THE HANSOM DRIVER
+
+
+The Hansom-driver was indeed very plain, but he fancied himself very
+beautiful. 'Tis thus that we are liable to make errors of judgment;
+especially respecting ourselves.
+
+His cheeks were crimson and his nose was the same hue, yet he was quite
+convinced that all the young lady dolls envied him his complexion. His
+eyes were dull as lead, but in his boundless conceit he always compared
+them to sparkling diamonds.
+
+In a word, his appearance was terribly against him, yet his constant
+complaint was that he attracted so much attention, and won so much
+admiration wherever he went, that he could almost find it in his heart
+to wish he had been born ugly.
+
+His own looks were his constant topic of conversation, till at length
+the other Toys quaked when he opened his mouth, knowing very well how
+they were going to suffer.
+
+Amongst those who suffered the most from his talk were the Butcher, the
+Baker, and the Clown. They lived at the opposite side of the counter,
+where he drove every morning to give his orders for bread and meat. He
+never thought of driving away at once when he had done this, but always
+stopped to make remarks upon his own appearance; till at length, in
+common with the rest of the world, they became wearied to death of the
+subject. The Butcher and Baker tried to put a stop to it by making
+uncivil remarks, and the clown by making rude jests. But the conceit of
+the Hansom-driver still remained.
+
+One day when he was talking to his three acquaintances, the Butcher
+happened to remark on the beauty of the sunset-glow the previous
+evening.
+
+"Some people," said the Hansom-driver at once, "admire the beautiful
+glow of the sunset sky, some the beautiful glow of the healthy
+countenance. By the by, a chap I met yesterday told me my face was
+simply glowing with health."
+
+"Especially your nose, my pretty fellow," remarked the Clown.
+
+"From my brow to my chin, I am, I believe, suffused with the glow of a
+pretty color," replied the Hansom-driver. "Naturally it does not skip my
+nose. And very glad I am it does not; I should not like any feature to
+feel neglected or left out in the cold."
+
+"He becomes quite unbearable," whispered one lady doll to another.
+
+"Quite," she replied in the same tone.
+
+The Hansom-driver smiled as he saw them whisper. He did not doubt but
+that they were making some flattering remarks about himself.
+
+"Speak out, ladies," he said.
+
+But they turned away in silent anger.
+
+Most people would have been annoyed at this behavior. Not so the
+Hansom-driver. In his great vanity he completely misread their silence.
+
+"A compliment about me," he laughed. "Doubtless too great a one to be
+said aloud."
+
+"You needn't fancy _that_," said the Butcher rudely. "You hear a good
+many compliments, I don't deny, but they all come from the same
+source--your own block of a head. When you are absent you get few
+enough, that I know for a positive fact."
+
+"Not that there is anything surprising in it," the Baker said to the
+Hansom-driver in quite as rude a manner as the Butcher. "I am not yet
+aware that you are a subject for compliments."
+
+"'My face is my fortune, sir, he said'," misquoted the Hansom-driver
+with great conceit; "and a very handsome fortune, too," he added.
+
+"Your face!" exclaimed the Butcher. "Why, a sheep's face is more to be
+admired than yours."
+
+"I beg to differ," the Hansom-driver said, shaking his head. "I've never
+yet seen a really good-looking face amongst a flock of sheep."
+
+"So you actually think yours is good-looking?" sneered the Baker. "Why,
+I could make a better-looking one out of a piece of dough."
+
+"I defy you to," the Hansom-driver replied. "A face like mine is not
+easily copied. Nor am I the only person of that opinion. All the ladies
+think that I am beautiful. And of course I go by what they think."
+
+"And who," he asked, with a bow towards a little group of lady dolls,
+"who can be better judges of the matter?"
+
+"Do you think they consider you good-looking?" inquired the Clown. "Get
+along, you dreamer!"
+
+"I do not think it, I know it," he replied.
+
+"We don't," said the Butcher and the Baker. "Put it to the proof. We
+challenge you. Let the ladies vote upon the matter and they will prove
+you mistaken."
+
+"Very well," answered the Hansom-driver. "The result will be favorable
+to me. Of that I have no doubt."
+
+"All right! To business," said the Butcher. "What about the ladies'
+decision as to this fellow's claim of beauty?"
+
+"Ay; when shall it be given?" inquired the Hansom-driver, anxious to
+lose no time.
+
+"In a fortnight at the earliest," said the Clown. "The making up of
+ladies' minds, as of Christmas puddings, requires plenty of thought and
+preparation."
+
+"Good!" said the Hansom-driver. Then he got up upon the seat of his
+hansom, whipped up his horse, and drove off.
+
+Now, during the fortnight he was, if possible, more conceited than ever.
+He never ceased making vain speeches respecting his looks, and could
+indeed be induced to speak of nothing else.
+
+"I have not the slightest fear as to the ladies' decision," he
+boastfully remarked.
+
+"When I look in the glass I see how impossible it is that they should
+have anything but one opinion. By the by, a most curious little incident
+occurred last night. I was sauntering about my end of the counter, when
+the white Polar Bear walked right up against me. 'Hulloa!' I said, 'look
+out where you are going.' 'I beg your pardon, I'm sure,' said he; 'It
+was a little mistake. I was trying to find my way home, and catching
+sight of your right eye, mistook it for the Polar Star and guided myself
+by its light.' 'Very flattering,' I said, 'but I'd prefer you not to
+tread on my toes.' Strange, wasn't it?"
+
+"Most strange!" the Butcher jeered. "The Polar Bear has never been able
+to see clearly since the shopwoman's baby poked out both his eyes. Your
+story is a little far-fetched, my good chap."
+
+"Oh, what a surprise!" laughed the Clown, as the Hansom-driver, unable
+to avoid looking a little silly, turned his head aside and pretended to
+sneeze.
+
+"I've a piece of news for you," said the Baker; "another surprise. The
+ladies have made up their minds already. Instead of a fortnight they
+have only taken a week to decide. They have but one opinion, and the
+Clown has been instructed to deliver it to you to-morrow morning when
+you come to give your orders. I may warn you that you will find a great
+crowd of Toys waiting to hear it."
+
+"Let come who will," vaunted the Hansom-driver. "_I_ fear no crowd. The
+more Toys to witness my moment of triumph, the better."
+
+And it was in this frame of mind that, on the following morning, he
+drove to the Butcher's shop, outside of which a large crowd was
+gathered.
+
+"Well," he said with a smile to the Clown who headed the crowd; "well,
+and what is the ladies' opinion about my beauty?"
+
+"The ladies have decided," said the Clown, nodding his head and speaking
+very rapidly, "the ladies have all decided--mind you, _all_
+decided--that you _are_ a hansom man. And so say I."
+
+The Hansom-driver climbed down from his seat.
+
+"Shake hands," he said. "One doesn't find a fellow of sense like you
+every day."
+
+The Clown shook hands, then turned a somersault and grinned from ear to
+ear.
+
+"Handsome," he said slowly, "but _without_ the _d_ and the _e_. Mark
+that, my child. No _beauty, but a hansom man_. Ho-la! What's the time
+of day? Time to go away?"
+
+For the Hansom-driver had mounted to his seat, and, whipping up his
+horse, was driving off as fast as he could.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+"That was very funny," said the little girl; "it made me laugh very
+much."
+
+"It made all the Toys laugh," said the Marionette--"except the
+Hansom-driver himself. And, perhaps, he might be excused for not doing
+so."
+
+"He _was_ a vain thing," said the little girl.
+
+"He was," the Marionette agreed. "However, we must not be too severe on
+him. He had his good points after all. He was not bad-tempered, for
+example, like poor Claribelle, who at one time was quite unbearable, and
+made herself disliked by everyone. Though in the end, poor creature, she
+became, it is true, an altered character."
+
+"'Poor Claribelle!' Who was she?"
+
+"A young lady doll whose bad temper, unfortunately for her, brought her
+great sorrow.
+
+"I should like to hear about her," said the little girl.
+
+The little Marionette mused a moment. "I should not do wrong to tell
+you," she remarked. "The story of this poor, proud creature may perhaps
+serve as a lesson and warning to some other haughty and fanciful young
+lady. Yes, you shall hear to-morrow evening of Claribelle." And so the
+next evening, in a grave voice that befitted the tale, she told the
+story of "Proud Claribelle."
+
+
+
+
+PROUD CLARIBELLE
+
+
+Claribelle was a very haughty doll. She was very beautiful, with great
+brown eyes and a mass of dark hair that fell to her waist. She had fine
+clothes, too; a pink silk dress, a large straw hat trimmed with lace and
+pink roses, pink silk stockings and bronze shoes, and round her neck a
+string of pearls, which were the envy of every lady doll in the
+toy-shop.
+
+She held her head very high indeed, and would not speak to this doll
+because it was "frumpish," or that doll because it was not in the same
+set as herself. The China Doll she really could not be on intimate terms
+with, because she had a crack across her cheek. Fancy being seen walking
+with a cracky person! Also, she must really decline being introduced to
+the Farthing Doll. A very good, worthy person, no doubt, but really she
+and a doll worth a farthing could not possibly have many tastes in
+common.
+
+As to the Rag Doll, she was a pushing person. At a tea-party at which
+they had both been present, she had asked Claribelle if she didn't think
+that skirts were fuller. To think of discussing clothes with a creature
+of rags! The idea was really too comical!
+
+It was thus, and in this proud spirit, that Claribelle talked about the
+other and more modest Toys. There were, indeed, very few that she would
+take the slightest notice of. As a matter of fact, when she walked down
+the counter she held her nose so much in the air that it was very rarely
+she saw anyone. She did not care in the least whether she trod on other
+people's toes or not.
+
+From this you will easily understand that she was a Toy who gained more
+admiration than love. There was, however, one who was truly devoted to
+Claribelle. This was the Driver of the Wagon, who was always of the
+opinion that beneath her haughty manner lay a kind heart. They were
+engaged to be married, and with true affection he often spoke to her
+about her haughty manner to the other Toys.
+
+On such occasions Claribelle tossed her head and flew into a passion,
+often sulking for hours afterwards. Yet, although she so sorely tried
+the Driver's patience, he continued to love her. And when all other
+means had failed he would often sing her back to good temper, for he had
+a beautiful tenor voice.
+
+He was a little proud of his voice, and used to practise every night,
+partly because he loved music, also because he delighted to show his
+devotion to Claribelle by singing her little love-songs in a
+well-trained manner.
+
+He was of a kindly, genial nature, so that you would have thought it was
+hardly possible to quarrel with him. But Claribelle's pride not seldom
+caused a dispute between them, and she would often start a heated
+argument without any reason.
+
+It was thus one day that a quarrel arose which ended in the most serious
+manner.
+
+They were out driving in the Wagon, when the Driver, remembering he owed
+a call on the Farthing Doll, proposed that he and Claribelle should go
+thither.
+
+"What!" she exclaimed haughtily. "Pay a call on that Farthing creature!
+_Certainly_ not!"
+
+"I, at least, must go, sooner or later," the Driver replied.
+
+"Why?" she asked much displeased.
+
+"Because did I not call," answered he kindly but firmly, "I should be
+lacking in courtesy to a lady who has never shown me anything but the
+utmost civility. However, since you do not wish it, I will not go
+to-day."
+
+"I do not wish you to go at all," she said. "But I see it is quite
+sufficient for me to say that I do not desire you to do a thing, for you
+to do it."
+
+And after this she sulked and said she did not love him.
+
+Upon this the Driver bethought him a new song he had just learnt, and he
+determined to sing it in the hope of winning her back to good temper. So
+he began:
+
+    "'Oh, down in Alabama, before I was set free,
+    I loved a dark-eyed, yaller girl,
+    And thought--'"
+
+But he got no further, for here Claribelle interrupted him.
+
+"Does that apply to _me_?" she said with flashing eyes.
+
+"Well, you _have_ dark eyes, you know," he said pleasantly, hoping to
+make her smile. "Beautiful dark eyes, too."
+
+"Stop the wagon!" she said furiously. "I will not be so insulted. Dark
+eyes, yes; but yaller! yaller! yaller!"
+
+"Allow me to explain. I only--" began the Driver.
+
+"_Yaller_, indeed! Stop the Wagon!"
+
+"I should like to say--"
+
+"A dark-eyed, _yaller_ girl! Stop the Wagon,--and consider our
+engagement at an end."
+
+"_Will_ you let me--"
+
+But Claribelle shook her head furiously, and in her rage tried to jump
+out of the Wagon. So the Driver, fearing she would break her neck, did
+as she requested and pulled up his horse, when she immediately alighted.
+Then she swept away, flouncing her pink silk dress, and with her head in
+the air.
+
+The Driver called later and tried to pacify her, but she would not
+listen. She only turned her back upon him--which was a very rude thing
+to do--and persisted in saying that their engagement was at an end.
+
+So the Wagoner whipped up his horse and went away sad and sorry. He
+looked, indeed, so sad that the haughty Claribelle nearly repented of
+her pride and was just about to call him back.
+
+"But he'll return to-morrow," she said to herself, "and he must be
+taught not to make false remarks about my complexion. Fancy calling me
+'yaller!'"
+
+The next day he came as she expected.
+
+"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked scornfully.
+
+"Let bygones be bygones," said he. "Besides, I never called you yaller."
+
+"Our engagement is ended," she said.
+
+"Claribelle," he said kindly but firmly, "listen to what I say. If you
+do not tame your proud temper, you will one day bring sorrow upon
+yourself." Then he left, wounded and displeased.
+
+The next day he came again.
+
+"I may be going away," he said, "to the other side of the shop, to the
+opposite counter."
+
+"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked, tossing her head.
+
+"Aren't you sorry I am going?" he replied.
+
+"I haven't time to think of trifles," she said haughtily.
+
+"Cruel Claribelle," he said. "I shall not send you a letter, not even a
+post-card."
+
+"Letters are dull," she said coldly, "and post-cards are vulgar."
+
+"You will repent of this some day," he replied. And he turned and went
+away in anger.
+
+On the morrow he came once more.
+
+"I have come to say good-bye," he said.
+
+"Oh!" she replied; but not a word more.
+
+"Aren't you sorry?" he asked again.
+
+"Yes," she replied, "because the Farthing Doll put her foot on my dress
+this morning in passing me, and tore it. She is a clumsy thing."
+
+"You are trying my patience too far," he said. "Proud Claribelle,
+beware! Beware, proud Claribelle!"
+
+"You confirm me in my resolution," said she. "I will never marry a Toy
+who gives way to his temper over nothing. Once for all, our engagement
+is at an end."
+
+"I cannot believe that," he said. "Do you really mean it?"
+
+"Certainly," she answered.
+
+"So be it," he replied.
+
+Then he got up from his chair with dignity, made a low bow, mounted his
+Wagon, and drove away.
+
+"I almost wish I had not said that," thought the haughty Beauty
+uneasily. "I never meant him to go away so soon. If he had stayed I
+should, perhaps, have altered my mind. I will tell him so when he comes
+to-morrow."
+
+But next day he did not come. Then a few tears fell from Claribelle's
+haughty eyes. Nor did he come on the next, and then she shed more. Nor
+on the following day; nor the day after that, nor the day after
+_that_,--nor ever again! And each day poor Claribelle wept more and
+more, till it was sad to see her.
+
+At last she heard the Wagoner had left the toy-shop altogether, and she
+knew she should never see him again. And she cried, and cried, and
+cried, till she cried away every bit of pride in her nature! Indeed,
+from being the proudest Toy in the shop she became the meekest and
+gentlest--kind and thoughtful to all.
+
+So the other Toys would often remark one to the other with surprise and
+pleasure:
+
+"Lo! how poor Claribelle hath been chastened by sorrow!"
+
+"Poor, _poor_ Claribelle! I _am_ sorry for her!" said the little girl.
+
+"She had, indeed, a severe lesson," answered the little Marionette.
+
+"And did the Wagoner ever come back?"
+
+"Never, never. He loved, but drove away."
+
+"How sad!" sighed the little girl.
+
+"Sad, indeed," said the Marionette. "Well, as I always say, let all
+young ladies take warning by the story of Proud Claribelle, and then it
+will not have been told in vain."
+
+There was a pause.
+
+Then the little girl said:
+
+"Next time you tell me a story I should like it to be happy all through.
+Happy, you know, from beginning to end."
+
+The little Marionette thought a few moments, then shook her head.
+
+"I can't remember such a story," she said. "I think there must be very
+few."
+
+"I am sorry for that," answered the little girl, disappointed. "I wanted
+very much to hear one."
+
+"We must take things as they are," said the little lady cheerfully. "If
+I don't know many stories that are happy all the way through, I know
+plenty that are so at the beginning, or the middle, or the end; or even
+more than that."
+
+"Which do you like best?" said the little girl.
+
+"Oh, stories with a happy ending! You can forget that the beginning or
+middle has been sad, and you can go away smiling."
+
+"Then tell me to-morrow a story that ends happily."
+
+"If you will," said the little Marionette.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+On the morrow, when the two met as usual, the Marionette said to the
+little girl:
+
+"Good evening. I have thought of a story that will please you."
+
+"Then I suppose it ends most happily, doesn't it?" asked Molly.
+
+"Quite right," she replied. "I am going to tell you one that ends as
+happily as you could wish it to. You will, I am sure, be quite satisfied
+with the conclusion of: 'The Grocer and the Farthing Doll.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL
+
+
+Never was there a love affair more perplexing than the love affair of
+the Grocer and the Farthing Doll. It puzzled the whole toy-shop; it even
+puzzled the two lovers themselves.
+
+The affair was rather difficult to understand, but I will try to explain
+it to you as simply as I can.
+
+Everyone knew that the Grocer and the Farthing Doll loved each other;
+the Grocer knew he loved the Farthing Doll, but he did not know that she
+loved him; the Farthing Doll knew that she loved the Grocer, but she
+didn't know if he loved her.
+
+So everything was at a stand-still, and none of the other dolls knew how
+to bring the matter to a happy end. No one quite liked to interfere. And
+for these reasons: The Grocer was very proud and would take no advice,
+whilst the Farthing Doll was so sensitive that a single wrong word might
+cause her a serious illness. Again, the Grocer wouldn't ask the Farthing
+Doll to marry him because, being a proud Toy, he feared the humiliation
+of her saying "No." She, on her part, would not say much to help him,
+lest it should look as if she were forward.
+
+It was thus that matters stood, when, walking along the counter one day,
+the Farthing Doll met the Grocer sauntering by with a sad face.
+
+"Well!" she exclaimed, with a start of surprise. "Fancy seeing you
+here!"
+
+"My shop is close by," he answered. "Don't you remember?"
+
+"To be sure," she said. "How odd of me to forget."
+
+"I'm very pleased to see you," said the Grocer.
+
+"I am glad of that, for I have every wish to please you," said the
+Farthing Doll.
+
+"Is that satisfactory?" he asked.
+
+"It ought to be," she replied.
+
+"I don't know," the Grocer said. "You may wish to please, without
+loving. For instance, you may try to please a turkey by giving him the
+best of grain. But that is not because you love him. It is merely
+because you wish to fatten him well for your Christmas dinner."
+
+"Good-morning!" said the Farthing Doll coldly.
+
+"Stay!" the Grocer cried. "I have an idea. We appear to have some
+difficulty in finding out the Truth. Let us go and hunt for it."
+
+"Where is it to be found?" she asked.
+
+"At the bottom of a Well, so I've heard."
+
+"Then I suppose the first thing is to find the Well."
+
+"Exactly so," he said. "Come, let us start." So they walked away hand in
+hand. They hunted all up and down the counter, and asked directions of
+many dolls. But never a Well could they find.
+
+"See!" exclaimed the Farthing Doll at last; "here's a square thing that
+looks something like a Well. Go, open it and look down."
+
+"What may be inside, though?" he said cautiously.
+
+"Truth, Truth, you silly thing!" she said impatiently. "Go!"
+
+So he went and opened the lid.
+
+But it was not a Well at all. It was merely the abode of
+Jack-in-the-box, and when the Grocer looked in Jack jumped out. He
+jumped up so suddenly that he knocked the Grocer flat on his back.
+
+The poor fellow got up and rubbed his head.
+
+"One gets very hard blows sometimes in the search for Truth," he said
+ruefully.
+
+"You shouldn't be in such a hurry," remarked Jack-in-the-box. "Take
+things more calmly, and ask the Policeman. Kindly shut up the lid of my
+box. I can't very well manage it myself, I'm so springy. Close it
+firmly, please, or I shall be jumping out again, and I don't want to do
+that. I wish to stay indoors to-day as much as possible, for I have a
+heavy cold in my head and am sneezing every two minutes."
+
+"_That_ didn't do much good," said the Grocer when he had done as he was
+asked, and closed the lid of Jack's box.
+
+"Let us find the Policeman," she said, holding out her hand.
+
+"An excellent idea," he replied as he took it. "There he is, just
+outside that dolls' house.
+
+"Constable," he said, "can you direct us to the Well with Truth at the
+bottom?"
+
+"First to the right, second to the left, and keep on till you come to
+it," the policeman answered, without removing his eyes from the kitchen
+window.
+
+"Not that I ever heard tell of any such Well," he added, putting his
+head inside and speaking to the Little China Doll within.
+
+"Then you're a deceiver," she said severely, as she handed him a joint
+of beef tightly gummed on to a wooden platter.
+
+"You're sure to arrive at anything if you keep on till you get it," he
+answered carelessly. "So it doesn't really matter if you take the first
+to the right and the second to the left, or the second to the right and
+the first to the left. You are bound to get there in time.... This beef
+is gummed so tightly to the dish that it is a job to get it off...."
+
+In the meantime the Grocer and the Farthing Doll were wandering about
+trying to find the Well. They sought for a long time, but they could not
+see a sign of it.
+
+"We'll never find it," she said in despair. "And I am growing so tired I
+am beginning to lose all my good looks. All the crimson is wearing off
+my cheeks."
+
+"Come, come, my dear, we won't give up yet," he said. "Console
+yourself; I believe many others have been in the same plight before us."
+
+"I don't mind if they have," she said, tired and impatient.
+
+Now the Grocer was a man of quick intellect. His thoughts were not
+solely given to the selling of raisins, currants, flour, rice and other
+groceries. As the Farthing Doll spoke, a very clever idea came into his
+head.
+
+"Wait!" he said thoughtfully. "Your last remark has given me a new idea.
+You mentioned the word _mind_! Mind,--mind,--mind. Yes,--now why should
+we not give up seeking for truth in a Well, and try to find it in our
+minds?"
+
+"Have we got them?" she asked doubtfully.
+
+"I think so," he replied.
+
+"Then where are they kept?"
+
+He pondered.
+
+"In our heads, I imagine," he said.
+
+And tapping his forehead to help out his thought he remarked.
+
+"Let us begin. Here is my first question: Do you approve of marriages
+with Grocers?"
+
+"Before I answer," said the Farthing Doll cautiously, "I should like to
+hear if you approve of marriages with Farthing Dolls? Some people
+don't."
+
+"Ladies first. It is your place to reply to me before I reply to you."
+
+"I prefer the last word; you may have the first."
+
+"It is all very well to expect me to answer you, but supposing _I_ said
+'Yes' and _you_ said 'No,' fancy how my pride would suffer!"
+
+"But supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No,' picture to yourself what
+my feelings would be. I should not recover from the blow."
+
+"We have got ourselves into a difficult position," said the Grocer. "Let
+us start afresh. If I wrote you a letter, how would you answer it?"
+
+"As I thought best," she said. "But tell me how would you write it?"
+
+"As I thought fit," he replied. "What would your 'best' be?"
+
+"That would depend on your 'fit'," she answered.
+
+The Grocer sighed and knit his brows.
+
+"It seems very difficult to come to an understanding with you," he said.
+
+And then they were both silent for a long while. As a matter of fact,
+this was because they were both so depressed that they could think of
+nothing further to say.
+
+The Farthing Doll was the first to break the silence.
+
+"Perhaps," she said sadly, "we had better start looking for that Well
+again. The Policeman told us that if we kept on we should come to it."
+
+"I am not sure that I trust the Policeman," he answered. "It struck me
+that he wished, unobserved, to enjoy some food from the dolls' house
+kitchen. He wanted to get rid of us."
+
+"What is to be done then?" she asked.
+
+The Grocer thought for a long while. Then he spoke again.
+
+"I have another idea," he remarked. "Let us look for Truth not in the
+Well, nor in our Minds, but in our Hearts. Do you agree?"
+
+"Yes, I do," she said. "But how shall we set about it?"
+
+"Let our Hearts speak," he replied.
+
+After this they were silent for a moment or two. Then the Grocer and
+the Farthing Doll clasped each other's hands and spoke at the same
+moment.
+
+    "My Heart's Dearest, I love you," said he.
+    "You are my Best Beloved," said she.
+
+So the matter ended happily, to their own joy and to the joy of the
+whole toy-shop.
+
+And these two lovers found Truth at last: not in the bottom of a Well,
+but in the depths of their own Hearts.
+
+And they married and were happy ever after.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That was a nice ending," remarked the little girl. "I like it."
+
+"Yes; very satisfactory, wasn't it?" said the little lady.
+
+"How will the next story end, happily or sadly?"
+
+"I haven't thought of it yet. You shall know to-morrow."
+
+"I think I must go now," said the little girl. "I promised my little
+cousin to have a game of nine-pins with her before bed-time."
+
+"Wait," said the Marionette. "I have something to tell you. I think
+to-morrow evening will be the last time I shall be able to speak with
+you. My power of talking to a Mortal is going; it will not last after
+our next meeting."
+
+"Oh, I _am_ sorry!" exclaimed the little girl. "I do not leave till two
+days after to-morrow, and I thought that you would be able to go on
+telling me stories up to the very last evening."
+
+The little Marionette shook her head.
+
+"It will be impossible," said she.
+
+"And after to-morrow we shall not be able to talk to each other any
+more," exclaimed the little girl. "Oh, how sad!"
+
+"Never mind, even if we cannot talk we can remain good friends. The
+deepest friendship is often the quietest."
+
+"Then we can be very great friends indeed," said the little girl with
+much affection. "I am so glad, dear!"
+
+"I am going out to-morrow afternoon to see the pantomime, but I shall
+come here as early as I can," she added as she went away. "Don't you be
+late."
+
+"No, I won't," answered the Marionette.
+
+"Remember!"
+
+"Yes, I'll remember."
+
+"_How_ will you remember?"
+
+"I'll tie a knot in my hair, so that when I brush it I shall feel that
+there is something to recollect."
+
+"That's a good idea," said the little girl, and ran away in content.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their
+meeting-place by the Noah's Ark.
+
+But the little Marionette was not to be found.
+
+"This is too bad of her!" said the little girl. "Our last time! And
+after she has promised not to be late!"
+
+Tears rose to her eyes.
+
+"I am very much disappointed," said she as she walked up and down the
+shop looking for her friend.
+
+"I shall never find her.... Why, _there_ she is!" she exclaimed
+suddenly.
+
+And she hurried up to the little Marionette, who, half-concealed by a
+big Drum, lay on the ground beside a Puzzle.
+
+"You are not very kind," remarked the little girl reproachfully. "I
+asked you to be early, and you never came at all."
+
+"I am very sorry," answered the little Marionette in a tired voice.
+
+Then she sat up, and the little girl saw with much sorrow and surprise
+that she was quite disfigured. Her nose was broken, her eyes were
+crooked, and her face was quite knocked about. All the little girl's
+annoyance vanished, and her heart was full of pity.
+
+"Oh, you poor dear little dolly!" she cried; "what _has_ happened to
+you?"
+
+"I have hurt myself," was the answer. "I tripped up over this Puzzle."
+
+"I am sorry. Are you very badly hurt?" asked her little friend with
+pity.
+
+"Never mind me. I promised to tell you one more story, and I shall do
+so," answered the little Marionette.
+
+She spoke very sadly, and the little girl picked her up and kissed her.
+
+"Would you not like to put off telling me a story to-day?" she asked.
+
+"No. I should like to do so," the Marionette answered, "for it is our
+last meeting. Put me back on the counter and I will tell it to you."
+
+"Shall I put you back where I found you?"
+
+"No, take me back to our old place. I am tired of this Puzzle."
+
+So the little girl took her to the Noah's Ark, and placed her with her
+back to it.
+
+"What is your story about, dear?" the little girl asked, drawing her
+chair close to the counter, and bending her head close to the little
+Marionette, the better to hear her small voice--weaker and more tiny
+that evening than usual.
+
+"About a little Marionette like myself, whose best and dearest friend
+left her and thought she didn't mind. And all the while she minded so
+very much! More than she knew how to say!"
+
+"Poor little Marionette!" said Molly.
+
+"It _was_ sad, for it was only a mistake, wasn't it?" said the little
+Marionette lady with a sigh. "But you shall hear all about it. Listen
+whilst I tell you the story of: 'The Last Performance.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE LAST PERFORMANCE
+
+
+The two little Marionette dolls had just finished their dance before an
+admiring throng of Toys, and the curtain had, that moment, fallen upon
+their last performance.
+
+"So now," sighed the little lady Marionette to her partner; "so now the
+play is over. We shall never act together again. I heard the woman who
+owned the shop say that she was going to separate us, and sell us as
+ordinary Toys. She said there was so little demand for Marionettes
+nowadays.... But you heard that as well as I, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes, I heard," he answered. "And more, too. She said she was going to
+send me away with some other Toys to a Christmas-tree. So that it will
+be good-bye for a long while."
+
+The little lady Marionette patted the paniers of her pretty brocade
+dress and remained silent.
+
+"You don't mind that, do you?" her partner said. "I thought you
+wouldn't."
+
+"I do mind," she answered at last.
+
+"Yes; very much I am sure," he said.
+
+"You hurt my feelings," she replied.
+
+"I wouldn't do that for the whole world--not for ten worlds," he
+answered.
+
+She smiled.
+
+"Oh, you smile!" he said. "Then you do not mind very much after all."
+
+"I smile because it makes me happy to hear you speak kindly to me
+again," she answered.
+
+But her answer did not please him.
+
+"You smile at everything," he said "Nothing troubles you much."
+
+"It troubles me that you should be going away; away from me into the
+wide world," she said.
+
+"It will trouble you for half an hour, not longer," said he. "Only half
+an hour, that's all. I must leave you now."
+
+"Don't," said she. "_Stay._"
+
+"I can't," said he. "Good-bye."
+
+And he went straight away without another word.
+
+"He does not know how dear he is to my heart or he would not leave me
+so," said the little Marionette to herself after he had left.
+
+Then she threw herself down on the counter and cried as if her heart
+were breaking. She threw herself down so violently that she broke her
+nose and knocked her eyes awry. But she was too miserable to care. She
+lay still and cried on.
+
+At last a friend of hers came along--a friend who was a Doll of common
+sense and practical ways.
+
+"What is all this about?" she asked. "Why are you crying?"
+
+"Because half an hour may last for so long," wept the little Marionette.
+
+"You are talking nonsense," she replied contemptuously. "Everybody knows
+that half an hour can only last thirty minutes."
+
+"Not always. It may sometimes last a whole year--many years."
+
+"Tut, tut!" replied the common-sense Doll; "you have no reasoning power.
+That I can see by your face. Still, if I can help you I will. What would
+you have me do?"
+
+"Give me back my dream," said the Marionette. Then she covered her face
+with her hands and gave a great sigh.
+
+The common-sense Doll looked even more practical than before.
+
+"That is it, is it?" she said. "A morbid longing after a Dream. I begin
+to understand. Nerves,--indigestion,--too many sweet things,--I fear I
+cannot, then, be of much assistance. However, the General of the Tin
+Soldiers has a wonderful turn for doctoring, quite a natural gift. I
+will send him to you. He may be able to do you some good."
+
+So she went on her way, and the little Marionette was once more alone
+with her sorrow and regret.
+
+By and by, however, the General of the Tin Soldiers trotted up on his
+handsome black charger, and reined in before her.
+
+"My dear little lady," he said kindly, if pompously, "in what pitiful
+condition do I find you? Come, come, tell an old soldier, who has been
+through much himself, all about it." And, as she did not at once answer:
+"Well," he continued good-naturedly, "never mind. Do not trouble to
+speak, I will prescribe for you. I recognize your complaint, and have
+already treated with much success a large number of my Tin Soldiers
+suffering in the same way. This, then, is my prescription for your
+malady: plenty of fresh air; exercise in moderation; early hours and
+plain diet. But don't let your diet become monotonous. For example, a
+rice pudding one day, sago the next, tapioca the third. And a little
+gentle amusement every now and then to keep up your spirits; Christy
+Minstrels; a pleasant, little musical gathering of friends; and so on.
+Finally, a powerful tonic to put a little more color into those poor
+little cheeks. Kindly permit me to feel your pulse."
+
+And so saying the General bent from his saddle and courteously took the
+little Marionette's hand. Then, looking much alarmed, "_Galloping,
+galloping!_" he exclaimed, "I must do likewise, and order you a tonic at
+the nearest chemist's without delay."
+
+And putting spurs into his horse he rode away hurriedly.
+
+"All that won't do me any good," said the little Marionette aloud. "I
+don't want that."
+
+"What do I want?" she sighed.
+
+"A jest, my good creature," said a voice near her, and looking up she
+saw the Clown with his hands in his pockets dancing a double-shuffle in
+front of her.
+
+"A jest," he repeated. Then as he danced and shook the bells on his cap,
+he chanted in time to the movement of his feet--
+
+    "Broken nose and crooked eyes,
+    Broken heart and mournful sighs,--
+    Life's a jest for a' that."
+
+"No, it isn't; not to me," answered the little Marionette very sadly.
+
+"It will be, by and by," he said cheerfully.
+
+"No; not to me," she repeated.
+
+The Clown looked at her with sympathy.
+
+"Shall I tell you a good story?" he asked. "Quite one of my best?"
+
+"You are very kind," said the little Marionette. "I think, though, I
+would rather hear it another time, if you do not mind."
+
+"Not at all," answered the Clown as he danced away, jingling his bells
+as he went. "_I_ don't mind, I'm not easily hurt. But take my advice, if
+the situation is not a jest in itself make a jest dove-tail into the
+situation. Good-bye, my little friend. Cheer up."
+
+"Cheer up!" repeated the little lady. "But it is not easy. I shall have
+to wait until the half-hour is over before I can do that."
+
+After this she lay on the counter quietly, without taking notice of
+anything or anyone. And the other Toys, seeing she wished to be left to
+herself, did not disturb her.
+
+By and by, the time when the Toys are able to talk and move about passed
+by, and they all became still once more: just as you are accustomed to
+see them. And people passed in and out, and to and fro, but the little
+lady Marionette lay unobserved--alone and unhappy in her corner of the
+counter.
+
+"The half-hour is very long," she said. "Will it ever end? My heart is
+very heavy...."
+
+The little Marionette made a long pause.
+
+"Go on, if you please," said the little girl.
+
+But the little lady remained silent.
+
+"_Do_ go on," repeated her small friend.
+
+Yet she never answered.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" asked the little girl impatiently.
+
+She looked closely at the Marionette as she spoke.
+
+Why, were those tears she saw, or was it only the light shining upon
+the little lady's glass eyes? Glass eyes shine very easily, it is true.
+Still, supposing she _were_ crying and wanted to be comforted? She would
+ask her.
+
+"You are not crying, dear, are you?" said the little girl.
+
+The little Marionette gave a great sigh.
+
+"Perhaps," she replied gently.
+
+"What is it about?" asked the little girl with much sympathy.
+
+Then all at once she understood.
+
+"I believe," she exclaimed, "you have been telling me a story about
+yourself! It all happened to you to-day, while I was away, didn't it?"
+
+The little lady rubbed two tiny wax hands across her two glass eyes.
+"You have guessed rightly," she said in a little faltering voice.
+
+"Oh, I am sorry!" said her little friend with great sympathy. "I have
+been out all the afternoon, so I never heard Auntie say she was going to
+send you and your partner away from each other. And fancy his going away
+and leaving you as he did! You poor little thing, how I _wish_ I could
+do something to make you happier!"
+
+Molly thought a moment. "I know!" she exclaimed; "you shall belong to
+me, my dear. I shall ask Auntie to give you to me, and you shall be my
+very own dolly!"
+
+"Come with me, darling," she continued, hugging the little Marionette
+tightly, "and I will sing you to sleep in Auntie's big rocking-chair. I
+will make up a nice song all by myself and all about you. You will see
+then how much I love you, and you won't cry any more. When you wake up
+you will feel happier again."
+
+And going into the room at the back of the shop, she drew a
+rocking-chair near the cheerful blaze of the bright fire and sat down,
+still clasping the little Marionette in her arms.
+
+At first she rocked to and fro silently, and with a thoughtful
+expression. Presently she gave a sudden jerk to the rocking-chair, and
+sung in a shrill sweet voice, and with some energy--
+
+    "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_,
+    Your poor nose is broken, your eyes are awry,
+    But I'll love you and kiss you, so you must just try
+    Not to cry, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_."
+
+"Lullaby," she said more gently, and kissed her fondly. Then she began
+afresh, but more softly and soothingly--
+
+    "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_,
+    You know you are ugly and rather a guy,
+    But my arms are around you, so why should you sigh?
+    Just you sleep, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_."
+
+"Lullaby," she whispered, and kissed her again very tenderly.
+
+"This is not poetry, only rhyme, and not very flattering rhyme either,"
+murmured the little Marionette. "But if it is not poetry it is love....
+And it brings comfort to my sore heart, which the reasoning, and the
+doctoring, and the jesting could not do...."
+
+She whispered something more, but very weakly. Her power of talking to a
+Mortal had all but left her, and the child had to put her head quite
+close to the little lady so as to be able to catch what she said.
+
+"Let me always stay with you," the little Marionette just managed to
+whisper.
+
+"Always, dear," said her little friend.
+
+And then the little lady fell asleep quite happily. That at least was
+what the little girl thought. And if _she_ thought so _we_ might as well
+think the same.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"You want me to give you that little Marionette?" said the owner of the
+toy-shop to the little girl that same evening. "Very well, Molly, you
+shall have her."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Auntie!" replied her little niece with much gratitude.
+
+"There is not very much to thank me for," remarked her aunt. "She is not
+worth anything now. I can't imagine," she added, "how it is that she has
+got so knocked about."
+
+Now the little girl had no need to imagine it, for she knew. But she
+kept her knowledge to herself, fearing that if she told her Aunt what
+had happened she would be laughed at as a fanciful child.
+
+But we should not have laughed at her,--should we? There would have been
+no fancy at out the matter for us. For _we_ know that the Toy World is a
+very real World indeed!
+
+
+
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Altemus' New Illustrated
+
+YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY
+
+A new series of choice literature for children, selected from the best
+and most popular works. Handsomely printed on fine paper from large
+type, with numerous colored illustrations and black and white
+engravings, by the most famous artists, making the handsomest and most
+attractive series of juvenile classics before the public.
+
+Fine English cloth, handsome new original designs, 40 cents each.
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 70 illustrations.
+
+ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. 42 illustrations.
+
+THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE. 50 illustrations.
+
+BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 46 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S STORY OF THE BIBLE. 72 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST. 49 illustrations.
+
+ÆSOP'S FABLES. 62 illustrations.
+
+SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. 50 illustrations.
+
+EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE IN AFRICA. 80 illustrations.
+
+GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 50 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES, JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES. 234 illustrations.
+
+THE STORY OF THE FROZEN SEAS. 70 illustrations.
+
+WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 80 illustrations.
+
+BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell. 50 illustrations.
+
+ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. 130 illustrations.
+
+ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES. 75 illustrations.
+
+GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES. 50 illustrations.
+
+FLOWER FABLES. By Louisa M. Alcott. 50 illustrations.
+
+AUNT MARTHA'S CORNER CUPBOARD. By Mary and Elizabeth Kirby. 54
+illustrations.
+
+WATER BABIES. By Charles Kingsley. 84 illustrations.
+
+UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. 90 illustrations.
+
+TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb. 65 illustrations.
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND. 70 illustrations.
+
+ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE. 18 illustrations.
+
+MIXED PICKLES. 31 illustrations.
+
+LITTLE LAME PRINCE. By Miss Mulock. 24 illustrations.
+
+THE SLEEPY KING. 77 illustrations.
+
+RIP VAN WINKLE. By Washington Irving. 46 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES. By Robert Louis Stevenson. 100
+illustrations.
+
+ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. 50 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus'
+
+STORIES FROM HISTORY SERIES
+
+A series of stories from history which every boy and girl should know.
+No library is complete without these valuable contributions to juvenile
+literature.
+
+Profusely illustrated. Bound in cloth with illuminated covers, 40 cents
+each.
+
+ROMULUS, THE FOUNDER OF ROME. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.
+
+CYRUS THE GREAT, THE FOUNDER OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. By Jacob Abbott. 40
+illustrations.
+
+DARIUS THE GREAT, KING OF THE MEDES AND PERSIANS. By Jacob Abbott. 34
+illustrations.
+
+XERXES THE GREAT, KING OF PERSIA. By Jacob Abbott. 39 illustrations.
+
+ALEXANDER THE GREAT, KING OF MACEDON. By Jacob Abbott. 51 illustrations.
+
+PYRRHUS, KING OF EPIRUS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.
+
+HANNIBAL, THE CARTHAGINIAN. By Jacob Abbott. 37 illustrations.
+
+JULIUS CÆSAR, THE ROMAN CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbott. 44 illustrations.
+
+DICKENS' CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 80 illustrations.
+
+ALFRED THE GREAT, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.
+
+WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 43 illustrations.
+
+CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 70 illustrations.
+
+HERNANDO CORTEZ, THE CONQUEROR OF MEXICO. By Jacob Abbott. 30
+illustrations.
+
+QUEEN ELIZABETH, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.
+
+MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.
+
+GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. 68 illustrations.
+
+KING CHARLES THE FIRST, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 41 illustrations.
+
+KING CHARLES THE SECOND, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 28 illustrations.
+
+MADAME ROLAND, A HEROINE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. By Jacob Abbott. 42
+illustrations.
+
+MARIE ANTOINETTE, QUEEN OF FRANCE. By John S. C. Abbott. 41
+illustrations.
+
+JOSEPHINE, EMPRESS OF FRANCE. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.
+
+BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. By Prescott Holmes. 70
+illustrations.
+
+MILITARY HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES. 60 illustrations.
+
+HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 60 illustrations.
+
+LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. With portraits and
+illustrations.
+
+BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION. By Prescott Holmes. 80 illustrations.
+
+YOUNG PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 50 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+MOTHER GOOSE SERIES
+
+A series of entirely new editions of the most popular books for young
+people. Handsomely printed from large, clear type, on choice paper; each
+volume containing about one hundred illustrations. Half vellum, with
+illuminated sides (6-7/8 x 8-3/4 inches). Price, 50 cents each.
+
+ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP.--OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS.--BEAUTY AND THE
+BEAST.--BIRD STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.--CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE
+GLASS SLIPPER.--THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.--JACK AND THE
+BEAN-STALK.--JACK THE GIANT-KILLER.--LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.--PUSS IN
+BOOTS.--THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.--WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN?
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN SERIES
+
+A new series for young people, by the best known English and American
+authors. Profusely illustrated, and with handsome and appropriate
+bindings. Cloth, 12mo. Price, 50 cts. each.
+
+BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell.
+
+HIAWATHA. By Henry W. Longfellow.
+
+ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. By Lewis Carroll.
+
+PAUL AND VIRGINIA. By Sainte Pierre.
+
+GALOPOFF, THE TALKING PONY. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+GYPSY, THE TALKING DOG. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+CAPS AND CAPERS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+DOUGHNUTS AND DIPLOMAS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+FOR PREY AND SPOILS. By Frederick A. Ober.
+
+TOMMY FOSTER'S ADVENTURES. By Frederick A. Ober.
+
+TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb.
+
+A LITTLE ROUGH RIDER. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+ANOTHER YEAR WITH DENISE AND NED TOODLES. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+POOR BOYS' CHANCES. By John Habberton.
+
+SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. By Hartwell James.
+
+POLLY PERKINS'S ADVENTURES. By E. Louise Liddell.
+
+FOLLY IN FAIRYLAND. By Carolyn Wells.
+
+FOLLY IN THE FOREST. By Carolyn Wells.
+
+THE BOY GEOLOGIST. By Prof. E. J. Houston.
+
+HELEN'S BABIES. By John Habberton.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+WEE BOOKS FOR WEE FOLKS
+
+Filled with charming stories, beautifully illustrated with pictures in
+colors and black and white. Daintily, yet durably bound. Price, 50 cents
+each.
+
+NURSERY TALES.--NURSERY RHYMES.--THE STORY OF PETER RABBIT.--THE FOOLISH
+FOX.--THREE LITTLE PIGS.--THE ROBBER KITTEN.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+CHILDREN'S GIFT SERIES
+
+A new series of the most famous children's classics, in new and
+attractive bindings with full page illustrations in color and black and
+white. Cloth, 4to, 75 cents each.
+
+ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.--THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT
+ALICE FOUND THERE.--A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES.--MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES,
+JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--THE ADVENTURES OF
+ROBINSON CRUSOE.--GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES.--ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES.--BIBLE
+PICTURES AND STORIES.--ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+ONE-SYLLABLE SERIES
+
+For Young Readers
+
+Embracing popular works arranged for the young folks in words of one
+syllable. With numerous illustrations by the best artists. Handsomely
+bound, with illuminated covers. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+ÆSOP'S FABLES.--A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST.--THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON
+CRUSOE.--BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--GULLIVER'S
+TRAVELS.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE
+NEW TESTAMENT.--BIBLE STORIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.--THE STORY OF JESUS.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+DAINTY SERIES OF CHOICE GIFT BOOKS
+
+Bound in half-white vellum, illuminated sides, unique designs in gold
+and colors, with numerous half-tone illustrations. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+THE SILVER BUCKLE. By M. Nataline Crumpton.
+
+CHARLES DICKENS' CHILDREN STORIES.
+
+THE CHILDREN'S SHAKESPEARE.
+
+YOUNG ROBIN HOOD. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+HONOR BRIGHT. By Mary C. Rowsell.
+
+THE VOYAGE OF THE MARY ADAIR. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+THE KINGFISHER'S EGG. By L. T. Meade.
+
+TATTINE. By Ruth Ogden.
+
+THE DOINGS OF A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+OUR SOLDIER BOY. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+THE LITTLE SKIPPER. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+LITTLE GERVAISE AND OTHER STORIES.
+
+THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY. By John Strange Winter.
+
+MOLLY THE DRUMMER BOY. By Harriet T. Comstock.
+
+HOW A "DEAR LITTLE COUPLE" WENT ABROAD. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+THE ROSE-CARNATION. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+MOTHER'S LITTLE MAN. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+LITTLE SWAN MAIDENS. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+LITTLE LADY VAL. By Evelyn Everett Green.
+
+A YOUNG HERO. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+QUEEN OF THE DAY. By L. T. Meade.
+
+THAT LITTLE FRENCH BABY. By John Strange Winter.
+
+THE POWDER MONKEY. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+THE DOLL THAT TALKED. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+WHAT CHARLIE FOUND TO DO. By Amanda M. Douglas.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus'
+
+YOUNG FOLKS PUZZLE PICTURES' SERIES
+
+A new series for young people, including numerous Puzzle Pictures by the
+best artists. Full cloth, illuminated cover design. Price, 50 cents
+each.
+
+MOTHER GOOSE'S PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+ANIMAL TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+DOG TALES, CAT TALES AND OTHER TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+MOTHER STORIES SERIES
+
+An entirely new series, including the best stories that mothers can tell
+their children. Handsomely printed and profusely illustrated. Ornamental
+cloth. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+MOTHER STORIES. 89 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER NURSERY RHYMES AND TALES. 135 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER FAIRY TALES. 117 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER NATURE STORIES. 97 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER STORIES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER BEDTIME STORIES. 86 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER ANIMAL STORIES. 92 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER BIRD STORIES. 131 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER SANTA CLAUS STORIES. 91 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully
+entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy
+will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.
+
+1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers'
+Island.
+
+2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.
+
+3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at
+Racing Speed.
+
+4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare
+Cruise.
+
+5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator
+Swamp.
+
+6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the
+Great Fog.
+
+7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the
+Big Fresh Water.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great
+ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this
+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
+
+1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of
+the Great Divide.
+
+2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their
+Wits Against a Packers' Combine.
+
+3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam
+Plows Across the Prairie.
+
+4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the
+Wheat Pit.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+SUBMARINE BOYS SERIES
+
+By Victor G. Durham
+
+These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life aboard submarine
+torpedo boats, and with the adventures of the young crew, and possess,
+in addition to the author's surpassing knack of storytelling, a great
+educational value for all young readers.
+
+1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
+
+2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.
+
+3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.
+
+4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.
+
+5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.
+
+6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
+
+7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey
+Customs Frauds.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; these books are
+bound to make him think, and when he casts his vote he will do it more
+intelligently for having read these volumes.
+
+1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise
+Steal.
+
+2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the
+Crooked Land Deal.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BEN LIGHTBODY SERIES
+
+By Walter Benham
+
+1 BEN LIGHTBODY, SPECIAL; Or, Seizing His First Chance to Make Good.
+
+2 BEN LIGHTBODY'S BIGGEST PUZZLE; Or, Running the Double Ghost to Earth.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+PONY RIDER BOYS SERIES
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+These tales may be aptly described as those of a new Cooper. In every
+sense they belong to the best class of books for boys and girls.
+
+1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.
+
+2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.
+
+3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer
+Trail.
+
+4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.
+
+5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert
+Maze.
+
+6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.
+
+7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright
+Angel Gulch.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOYS OF STEEL SERIES
+
+By James R. Mears
+
+The author has made of these volumes a series of romances with scenes
+laid in the iron and steel world. Each book presents a vivid picture of
+some phase of this great industry. The information given is exact and
+truthful; above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination.
+
+1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.
+
+2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.
+
+3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.
+
+4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder
+Pits.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+WEST POINT SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet
+Gray.
+
+2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of
+the Soldier's Life.
+
+3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag
+and Honor.
+
+4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray
+for Shoulder Straps.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+ANNAPOLIS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the
+U. S. Naval Academy.
+
+2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval
+Academy "Youngsters."
+
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class
+Midshipmen.
+
+4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and
+the Big Cruise.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE YOUNG ENGINEERS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys
+Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of
+all the traditions of Dick & Co.
+
+1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.
+
+2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer"
+Quicksand.
+
+3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a
+Pick.
+
+4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOYS OF THE ARMY SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of
+to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.
+
+1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States
+Army.
+
+2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.
+
+3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.
+
+4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against
+the Moros.
+
+(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BATTLESHIP BOYS SERIES
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge
+drab Dreadnaughts.
+
+1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.
+
+2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as
+Petty Officers.
+
+3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in
+European Seas.
+
+4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in
+a Honduras Revolution.
+
+(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Janet Aldridge
+
+Real live stories pulsing with the vibrant atmosphere of outdoor life.
+
+1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS; Or, Fun and Frolic in the Summer
+Camp.
+
+2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a
+Summer Hike.
+
+3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT; Or, The Stormy Cruise of the Red Rover.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
+
+Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and
+Sports.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football
+Gridiron.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the
+Athletic Vanguard.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things
+Moving.
+
+2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.
+
+3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and
+Knowledge.
+
+4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their
+Fame Secure.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S VACATION SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country
+over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers,
+making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and
+the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in
+the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these
+splendid narratives.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake
+Pleasant.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six
+Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves
+"Hard as Nails."
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE CIRCUS BOYS SERIES
+
+By Edgar B. P. Darlington
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the
+Sawdust Life.
+
+2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the
+Tanbark.
+
+3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny
+South.
+
+4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on
+the Big River.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Jessie Graham Flower, A. M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the
+Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the
+Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.
+
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the
+Sororities.
+
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the
+Ways.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Laura Dent Crane
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case--can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.
+
+2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's
+Trail.
+
+3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy
+Hollow.
+
+4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.
+
+5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under
+Southern Skies.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***
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+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Adventures in Toyland, by Edith King Hall</title>
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+<h1 class="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Adventures in Toyland, by Edith King Hall</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Adventures in Toyland</p>
+<p>       What the Marionette Told Molly</p>
+<p>Author: Edith King Hall</p>
+<p>Release Date: November 17, 2007  [eBook #23523]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3 class="center">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="pg" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:401px">
+<a name="illus-000" id="illus-000"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-001.jpg" alt="" title="" width="401" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:406px">
+<a name="illus-001" id="illus-001"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-002.jpg" alt="" title="" width="406" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:404px">
+<a name="illus-002" id="illus-002"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-004.jpg" alt="" title="" width="404" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<table style="margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; width:25em" summary=""><tr><td>
+<p style="font-size:0.9em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:3em;">ALTEMUS&#8217; YOUNG PEOPLE&#8217;S LIBRARY</p>
+<p style="font-size:1.6em;">ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND</p>
+<p style="font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom: 2em;">WHAT THE MARIONETTE TOLD MOLLY</p>
+<p style="font-size:0.8em;">BY</p>
+<p style="font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom: 2em;">EDITH KING HALL</p>
+<p style="font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom: 2em;">WITH SEVENTY ILLUSTRATIONS</p>
+<p style="font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom: 2em;">Copyright 1900 by Henry Altemus Company</p>
+<p style="font-size:0.8em;">PHILADELPHIA</p>
+<p style="font-size:1.0em; margin-bottom: 2em;">HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</p>
+</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p style="font-size:x-small; margin: auto; margin-top:1em; text-align: center;">
+<a href="images/illus-005.jpg">LINK TO TITLE PAGE IMAGE</a>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:394px">
+<a name="illus-004" id="illus-004"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-007a.jpg" alt="" title="" width="394" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<table border="0" width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents" style="margin: 2em auto 2em auto">
+<col style="width:15%;" />
+<col style="width:5%;"  />
+<col style="width:70%;" />
+<col style="width:10%;" />
+<tr><td align="center">Chap.</td><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left">AFTER THE SHUTTERS WERE UP</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch1">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left">THE RABBIT AND THE MOUSE</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch2">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left">BELINDA</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch3">57</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left">THE OFFICER AND THE ELEPHANT</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch4">75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left">THE LITTLE DANCER</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch5">93</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left">THE HANSOM-DRIVER</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch6">107</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left">PROUD CLARIBELLE</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch7">121</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left">THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch8">139</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">&#8221;</td><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left">THE LAST PERFORMANCE</td><td align="right"><a href="#ch9">156</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:379px">
+<a name="illus-005" id="illus-005"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-007b.jpg" alt="" title="" width="379" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:405px">
+<a name="illus-006" id="illus-006"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-008.jpg" alt="" title="" width="405" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:406px">
+<a name="illus-007" id="illus-007"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-009.jpg" alt="" title="" width="406" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<table border="0"  width="500" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto">
+<col style="width:80%;" />
+<col style="width:20%;" />
+<tr><td class="tdleft"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Molly and the Marionette</span></td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-002">Frontispiece</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft"></td><td class="tdright">Page.</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Unrolling the Adventures</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-000">v</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Three Friends in Fairyland</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-001">vi</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Farthing Doll gets a Surprise</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-004">vii</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">From Noah&#8217;s Ark</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-006">vii</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Four Merry Ducklings</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-007">ix</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Birds of a Feather</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-008">xii</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">A Procession from the Ark</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-009">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Molly&#8217;s astonishment was great&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-010">15</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The two Dancers</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-011">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Marionette is waiting</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-012">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Rabbit plays and the Mouse dances</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-013">21</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Mouse collects the Money</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-014">24</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">A Pair of Conspirators</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-015">26</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Sentry is both brave and wicked&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-016">29</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Mouse discloses its Plan</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-017">31</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Owl listens behind the Sentry-box</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-018">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Owl takes charge of the Drum</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-019">37</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">On their way to the Sentry-box</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-020">39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Rabbit bids the Sentry Good-day</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-021">41</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Rabbit spreads the Gum over the Floor</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-022">44</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Mouse tries to look pious</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-023">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Rabbit takes Vengeance</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-024">52</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Two little Tell-tales</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-025">56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Here the Marionette paused</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-026">57</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Belinda shuts her Eyes</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-027">59</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Simplicity and Self&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-028">61</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Sailor-lad tries to startle Belinda</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-029">65</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Oh, Belinda, how I love you!&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-030">69</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Bedtime in the Ark</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-031">74</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Marionette in a hurry</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-032">75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Two Enemies</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-033">76</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Lady Dolls shrieked&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-034">79</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Officer threatens the Elephant</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-035">81</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;He fell under the animal&#8217;s trunk&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-036">87</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;He grunted and walked slowly away&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-037">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Molly sits beside her Friend</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-038">93</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;One day she saw the Bicycle-man&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-039">96</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;A very handsome fellow&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-040">97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Something within her went&mdash;<i>Snap!</i>&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-041">103</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Alas! alack-a-day!&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-042">106</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Come, this won&#8217;t do!&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-043">107</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Hansom-driver was very plain&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-044">109</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Butcher, the Baker, and the Clown&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-045">111</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;My face is my fortune&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-046">113</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Every time he looked in the Glass&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-047">115</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Drove off as fast as he could&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-048">120</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;I should like to hear about her&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-049">121</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Claribelle was a haughty doll&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-050">123</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Rag Doll was a pushing person&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-051">125</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Driver begins to sing</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-052">127</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Then she swept away&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-053">131</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The Driver got up with dignity&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-054">133</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;He loved but drove away&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-055">135</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">Proud Claribelle is penitent</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-056">138</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The two met as usual&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-057">139</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Grocer meets the Farthing Doll</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-058">140</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;They walked away hand in hand&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-059">143</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;She handed him a joint of beef&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-060">147</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Supposing I said &#8216;Yes&#8217; and you said &#8216;No&#8217;&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-061">149</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;They were happy ever after&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-062">152</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;Molly ran away content&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-063">155</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;The little Marionette lay on the ground&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-064">156</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;They had just finished their dance&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-065">160</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;I begin to understand&mdash;nerves&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-066">165</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The General rides off to the nearest chemist</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-067">167</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Clown dances a double-shuffle</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-068">169</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;You are not crying, dear, are you?&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-069">171</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">&#8220;She rocked to and fro silently&#8221;</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-070">175</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="tdleft">The Marionette fell asleep quite happily</td><td class="tdright"><a href="#illus-071">177</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:383px">
+<a name="illus-008" id="illus-008"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-012.jpg" alt="" title="" width="383" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:405px">
+<a name="ch1" id="ch1"></a>
+<a name="illus-009" id="illus-009"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-013.jpg" alt="" title="" width="405" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>All sorts of toys were to be found in that toy-shop. It was truly a place
+to please any child! A little girl, who had come to stay there with her
+aunt&mdash;the owner of the shop&mdash;and her little cousin, was always to be
+found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this
+one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were
+spent in the shop.</p>
+
+<p>It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were
+put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_14" id="pg_14">14</a></span> spot where
+she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette,
+who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very
+fine gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>They were both very prettily dressed. The little lady Marionette wore a
+beautiful white silk dress brocaded with pink roses, whilst her partner
+had on a blue velvet coat, knee breeches, white silk stockings, and
+diamond shoe buckles. Their clothes were really very grand!</p>
+
+<p>And they danced so gayly, too.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as if they like dancing with each other!&#8221; the little girl once
+said to her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are a fanciful child, Molly,&#8221; answered the woman, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All the same, I believe I am right,&#8221; replied the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>This evening, however, they were not to be found in their accustomed
+place. The little platform on which they danced was there, but the dolls
+themselves were gone!<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_15" id="pg_15">15</a></span></p>
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-010" id="illus-010"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-015a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-015b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+The little girl looked round the shop much bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where <i>can</i> they be?&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>At last she saw the little lady Marionette sitting on the right hand
+counter, with her back against the Noah&#8217;s Ark.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, how funny!&#8221; exclaimed the little girl aloud. &#8220;How have <i>you</i> got
+there?&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_16" id="pg_16">16</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Walked, of course,&#8221; answered the little Marionette in a sweet little
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl&#8217;s astonishment at this reply was very great. So great
+that it kept her silent.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You seem rather surprised,&#8221; said the little Marionette. &#8220;Why?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I never knew you could talk!&#8221; she exclaimed, recovering a little
+from her surprise. &#8220;Or any other toy, either,&#8221; she added.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Life is full of surprises,&#8221; remarked the little Marionette; &#8220;especially
+in the toy-shop.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish you would tell me all about it,&#8221; said the little girl, becoming
+bolder. &#8220;If toys can walk and talk, why don&#8217;t children know it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant
+regarding their habits,&#8221; she answered. &#8220;<i>That</i> is the reason.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At the same time,&#8221; she continued, &#8220;as it is, generally speaking, only
+when mortals are not present that we <i>can</i> move and speak freely, this
+ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_17" id="pg_17">17</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That I can&#8217;t tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a
+Mortal&mdash;a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every
+toy&mdash;generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little girl clapped her hands.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!&#8221; she
+exclaimed with pleasure. &#8220;I am only going to stay with my aunt and my
+cousin for twelve days longer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>She paused a moment, then added:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys&mdash;a new story
+every day, you know. Couldn&#8217;t you do that?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette looked doubtful.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Before I attempt anything of the sort, I shall have to consult Father
+Christmas&mdash;the well-known and much-esteemed patriarch. As he is the Head
+of our Society, I should like to do nothing without his advice and
+sanction.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_18" id="pg_18">18</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The little girl sighed anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I <i>do</i> hope he&#8217;ll say &#8216;yes&#8217;,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I want so much to hear stories
+of toys told by a toy.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll do my best to please you,&#8221; said the little Marionette. &#8220;Come here
+at the same time to-morrow,&mdash;by yourself, for I can only speak before
+one Mortal at a time,&mdash;and I will see what I can do.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; she said gratefully. &#8220;Please give my best love to Father
+Christmas; and tell him if he says &#8216;yes&#8217; I will see that Auntie puts him
+at the very top of the Christmas tree.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>She turned to go, then paused and came back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should just like to ask you one thing before I go,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Don&#8217;t
+you and your partner enjoy dancing together?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The pink cheeks of the little lady seemed to grow a little pinker.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps we do,&#8221; she replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought so,&#8221; remarked her new friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_19" id="pg_19">19</a></span> with some satisfaction. &#8220;Good
+evening! I shall come again to-morrow at this same time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:402px">
+<a name="illus-011" id="illus-011"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-019.jpg" alt="" title="" width="402" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:406px">
+<a name="ch2" id="ch2"></a>
+<a name="illus-012" id="illus-012"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-020.jpg" alt="" title="" width="406" /><br />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_20" id="pg_20">20</a></span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The next evening the little girl returned to the Noah&#8217;s Ark, where she
+found the little Marionette in the same position.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well!&#8221; she said eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have consulted Father Christmas,&#8221; answered the little Marionette. &#8220;He
+is of the opinion that I may, without harm, tell you tales of <i>some</i> of
+the toys. You shall therefore hear the most interesting stories I can
+remember.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That will be very nice,&#8221; said the little girl. &#8220;Will you begin at
+once?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At once,&#8221; she agreed, and began the story of</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;<span class="smcap">The Rabbit and the Mouse</span>&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_21" id="pg_21">21</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:436px">
+<a name="illus-013" id="illus-013"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-021.jpg" alt="" title="" width="436" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>The white Rabbit and the brown Mouse were both talented, though in
+different ways. The Rabbit&#8217;s talent showed itself in the precision and
+vigor with which he could beat a drum as he sat on his hind-legs; the
+Mouse in the swiftness and grace with which he could speed to and fro
+upon the counter.</p>
+
+<p>Talking over the matter, they arrived at the conclusion that if they
+went up and down the counter together as a traveling-show they might<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_22" id="pg_22">22</a></span>
+turn a very pretty penny. The Rabbit was to display his musical talent,
+whilst the Mouse was to exhibit his powers of graceful movement.</p>
+
+<p>The profits were to be equally divided. Such, at least, was the
+arrangement as <i>understood</i>; but it was not a <i>written</i> agreement, which
+was a great mistake.</p>
+
+<p>The reason, however, that the two partners omitted to be more
+business-like was this: the Rabbit trusted the Mouse, and the Mouse
+hoped to cheat the Rabbit. Not that anything of the sort was openly
+expressed, but each was quite well aware of his own view of the matter.</p>
+
+<p>The two started off upon the most amiable terms, stopping at such places
+as they thought most likely to prove profitable: in front of the dolls&#8217;
+houses; before the race-courses; by the shops. Then the Rabbit would
+announce loudly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>I am a rare-bit from Wales, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_23" id="pg_23">23</a></span> Mouse is a tit-bit from Ireland.
+We charge no fees for performing, but trust to your kind generosity.</i>&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After this the Rabbit played the drum with great energy, whilst the
+Mouse ran up and down in the most nimble manner.</p>
+
+<p>It was probably owing to a report which got abroad, to the effect that
+the performers were noble strangers, working in the cause of charity,
+that the success of the pair was so great. It was, indeed, wonderful,
+and in a short time the two had gained quite a little fortune.</p>
+
+<p>It was the Mouse who collected the money. For purposes of his own, he
+persuaded the Rabbit to let him always take upon himself this duty. And
+his companion, who was rather stiff in the joints after sitting
+perfectly still upon his hind-legs for the length of time he was obliged
+to, was quite willing to let the Mouse do as he wished.</p>
+
+<p>Not that he would have been willing to had<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_24" id="pg_24">24</a></span> he known the real facts of
+the case. For as you will understand by what I have said, the Mouse was
+acting towards him in the most dishonest fashion, in spite of his many
+fair words and speeches.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:448px">
+<a name="illus-014" id="illus-014"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-024.jpg" alt="" title="" width="448" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>It was in this way that he plotted against his friend: As soon as a
+certain sum of money had been collected, the Mouse always suggested that
+he should go and invest it. To this the Rabbit never made any objection,
+having great<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_25" id="pg_25">25</a></span> faith in the Mouse as an animal with a good business head.</p>
+
+<p>When the little rascal returned after a long absence, he had always a
+fine story to tell of the cleverness with which he had laid out the
+money, and of the fortune which would shortly be coming in. This was
+perfectly untrue. The Mouse was not investing a penny. On the contrary,
+he was hoarding it all up, and for his own benefit.</p>
+
+<p>There was a certain Horse who lived some little way off in a luxurious
+stable. Here the Mouse was minded to pass his last years, so soon as he
+had made a sufficiently large fortune, or unless chance removed him from
+the toy-shop. But in order to carry out his plan, he would have to pay
+the Horse a large sum for the right of sharehold&mdash;since it was his stall
+he wished to share,&mdash;and also to get the warm, cosy corner he especially
+desired.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:429px">
+<a name="illus-015" id="illus-015"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-026.jpg" alt="" title="" width="429" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>The Horse himself was not the noble creature nature had intended him to
+be. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_26" id="pg_26">26</a></span> to the full as greedy as the Mouse, and was indeed his
+helper in the plot. It was to the Horse the little swindler always ran
+when he pretended that he was going to invest the money, and it was in
+his stall that it was hidden. By the end of the half-year the Horse and
+the Mouse calculated that they would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_27" id="pg_27">27</a></span> sufficient money to carry out
+their design; when they intended to add further to their wickedness by
+causing the Rabbit to be killed, in order to prevent his asking any
+tiresome questions.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as the time drew near when the money, had it been invested, should
+have brought in some returns, the Rabbit began to talk of what he
+intended doing with <i>his</i> share.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think,&#8221; said he, &#8220;after I have supplied my own wants, I shall found a
+drum-scholarship for Musical Rabbits;&#8221; for he was a creature of a kind
+and generous nature, and truly devoted to the cause of art.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A most excellent notion,&#8221; said the Mouse. &#8220;I shall follow your good
+example, and found a scholarship for the encouragement of harmonious
+squeaking amongst Mice. One cannot do too much to encourage the love of
+music amongst all classes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When will our first dividends be paid?&#8221; asked the Rabbit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_28" id="pg_28">28</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The money ought to have been paid already,&#8221; answered the little scamp,
+&#8220;but business is very bad just at present. I would explain the matter to
+you, but I doubt you would not understand all the details.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very good; I will not trouble you,&#8221; answered his companion easily. &#8220;I
+have perfect faith in your judgment, and will leave all to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Yet from time to time, as was natural, he still made inquiries, which
+the Mouse began to find troublesome. He therefore consulted with his
+wicked friend the Horse, and they resolved that, as the half-year was
+approaching, and they had got sufficient money for what they wanted, it
+was better to delay the carrying out of their plot no longer, but to
+kill the Rabbit as soon as it could be managed&mdash;indeed that very day.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To whom shall we intrust the deed?&#8221; asked the Horse. &#8220;There would be
+too great a risk for either of us to undertake it, I fear. If we were
+discovered there would at once be an<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_29" id="pg_29">29</a></span> end of all our plans. Our money
+would be taken, and possibly our lives also.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width:218px">
+<img src="images/illus-029.jpg" alt="" title="" width="218" />
+</div>
+
+<p><a name="illus-016" id="illus-016"></a>The Mouse considered for a moment, then he said:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think I know the very fellow for the job. There is the Sentry who
+always stands in his wooden box. He is a chap who will do anything to
+vary the dulness of his life and earn a little money. He told me so the
+other day. He is both brave and wicked. Let <i>him</i> him do the deed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very well,&#8221; replied the Horse; &#8220;I<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_30" id="pg_30">30</a></span> think your idea is good. Will you
+arrange the matter so that it be carried out without any mistake?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Leave it to me,&#8221; replied the other. &#8220;You need not disturb yourself. The
+days of the Rabbit are numbered.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good!&#8221; neighed the Horse; &#8220;and the quantity of my corn, oats,&mdash;besides
+carrots, apples, and other luxuries,&mdash;will be <i>beyond</i> number. We&#8217;ll at
+once open an account with the fruiterer and corn-dealer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Also the cheese-monger,&#8221; said the Mouse. &#8220;Well, I must go; there is not
+a moment to be lost if we wish to carry out our plan.&#8221; Then he hurried
+off to the Sentry.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sentry,&#8221; said he, &#8220;are you prepared to run some risk for the sake of
+money?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;For the sake of money I&#8217;m prepared to do anything,&#8221; said the wicked
+fellow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then listen,&#8221; said the Mouse. &#8220;There is a sum of money that, strictly
+speaking, ought to be divided between the Rabbit<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_31" id="pg_31">31</a></span> and myself. But the
+best way appears to be that I should have it all. But that is a little
+difficult so long as he is alive. So I come to you to ask you if you
+will kill him, provided I fill your knapsack with gold.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width:289px">
+<img src="images/illus-031.jpg" alt="" title="" width="289" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><a name="illus-017" id="illus-017"></a>&#8220;Upon that condition, yes,&#8221; said the ruffian. &#8220;But don&#8217;t attempt to
+break it, or I shall put an end to you as well as your friend.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_32" id="pg_32">32</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never fear. Rest assured you shall have it,&#8221; said the Mouse.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now for the details of the plot,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I am going to propose
+to the Rabbit a private performance in front of your sentry-box. I shall
+say I have suggested it in order to vary the terrible dulness of your
+existence. Having finished our performance I shall lead the way straight
+forward, <i>with our backs towards you</i>. When we have gone a few steps I
+shall remark loudly, &#8216;<i>That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap;</i> he
+<i>knows how to handle the bayonet</i>&#8217;. This is to be the signal for you to
+step quietly out of your box, and, pretending to stumble, stab the
+Rabbit in the back with your bayonet. This should be quite easy, for he
+is sure to be walking away on his hind-legs. He has fallen into that
+habit since he has taken to playing the drum. You and I will, of course,
+exhibit much grief, and declare that his death was an unfortunate
+accident. You see the plan offers no difficulty.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_33" id="pg_33">33</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then if the <i>plan</i> offers no difficulty, <i>I</i> won&#8217;t,&#8221; said the Sentry,
+with a cold-blooded laugh. &#8220;When is it to be carried out?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This very day, in about two hours&#8217; time,&#8221; replied the Mouse. &#8220;Well,
+good-bye for the present, I think it is all very nicely arranged;&#8221; and
+he nimbly scurried back to tell the Horse that the Rabbit was to be
+killed by the Sentry; which he did with the utmost glee.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, however, his glee would not have been so great had he known
+that whilst he was giving his account of what had occurred to the Horse,
+<i>his wicked plan was at the same time being told to the intended
+victim</i>!</p>
+
+<p>This is how such a strange thing happened.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst the Mouse and the Sentry were talking, they had forgotten that
+the Owl&#8217;s usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they
+thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that
+the Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day.</p>
+
+<p>It so happened, however, that at the very<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_34" id="pg_34">34</a></span> moment the Mouse began his
+conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad
+daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became wider
+awake, he was going off to sleep again,&mdash;when the name of the Rabbit
+caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the Mouse, whose
+squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what was being said,
+at first with drowsy then with startled attention.</p>
+
+<p>He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot,
+and then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close
+his heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the
+astonished Rabbit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>Impossible!</i>&#8221; exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a
+crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. &#8220;I would
+as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse&mdash;my friend and
+companion through weal and woe. <i>Impossible!</i> You must have dreamt it,
+or invented it.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_35" id="pg_35">35</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:390px">
+<a name="illus-018" id="illus-018"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-035.jpg" alt="" title="" width="390" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be so hasty in your judgment,&#8221; remarked the Owl. &#8220;I have neither
+dreamt nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_36" id="pg_36">36</a></span> invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the brown
+Horse&#8217;s stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present moment
+talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you return, in
+case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Many thanks,&#8221; said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the
+Owl he hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and
+dismay.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All you have told me is but too true,&#8221; he exclaimed. &#8220;Let me tender you
+my most sincere apologies for having doubted your word. Unseen by my
+faithless friend, I listened to his conversation with the Horse, and
+overheard more than enough to convince me of the truth of your story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yet who,&#8221; he continued sorrowfully, &#8220;who could have believed it of that
+little Mouse? Who would have imagined so great an amount of deceit dwelt
+in so small a body?&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_37" id="pg_37">37</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:383px">
+<a name="illus-019" id="illus-019"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-037.jpg" alt="" title="" width="383" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Then he recovered his spirit. &#8220;I will baulk him yet!&#8221; he exclaimed, his
+pink eyes flashing, and his white fur bristling with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How can I help you?&#8221; asked the Owl. &#8220;I will endeavor to keep awake as
+long as I am wanted.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wait a moment,&#8221; answered the Rabbit,<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_38" id="pg_38">38</a></span> and then he beat a tattoo
+thoughtfully on his drum. &#8220;I think I have arrived at a conclusion,&#8221; he
+said presently. &#8220;I will meet their dastardly plot by a counter-plot. I
+do not expect the Mouse back for another half-hour; he told me he should
+be busy till half-past twelve putting away our recent earnings. This
+will just give us time to do what I wish.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here is <i>my</i> plot,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Having procured a bottle of gum we
+will go to the sentry-box, at the back of which you will take up your
+position. I will tell the Sentry you have been telling me a most comical
+little dream you have had&mdash;the one, indeed, you told me of late. He is a
+great fellow for good stories, and will certainly hurry off to hear it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Whilst he is away I will spread the bottom of the sentry-box with gum.
+When, on his return, he steps into the box, I shall keep him still, and
+give the gum time to take effect, by offering him a bet of a gold piece
+that he will not stand perfectly motionless whilst I go home<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_39" id="pg_39">39</a></span> and back.
+He is very fond of a bet, and is sure to accept it. Leaving you to see
+that he acts fairly, I shall go and meet the Mouse, returning here for
+the performance which is to be suggested.</p>
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-020" id="illus-020"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-039a.jpg" class="curveright" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-039b.jpg" class="curveright" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-039c.jpg" class="curveright" alt="" />
+&#8220;That, however, I shall cut short, having no desire to waste my talent
+on a villain like the Sentry. I shall turn away with the Mouse, who, on
+giving the signal agreed upon, will, to his amazement, find that it is
+followed by no result. For by that time the Sentry will be gummed so<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_40" id="pg_40">40</a></span>
+tightly to the floor of his sentry-box that he will not be able to move
+an inch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Having enjoyed the sight of their confusion I shall punish them, biting
+off the head of the Mouse&mdash;for whose deceit no punishment can be too
+severe,&mdash;and beating the Sentry about the head until he can&#8217;t see out of
+his eyes. Nor shall the Horse escape my vengeance. I shall creep into
+his stall, and suddenly, and with a precise aim, throw a piece of gold
+at the pupils of his wicked eyes. Thus he will be totally blinded by the
+gold he has wrongfully helped to keep. A most fit and proper
+punishment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your plans are well and thoughtfully worked out,&#8221; said the Owl,
+blinking his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To business, then,&#8221; remarked the Rabbit; and the two having first
+procured the gum took their way to the sentry-box; the Rabbit strolling
+thither on his hind-legs to avoid any appearance of alarm or haste, the
+Owl hopping by his side with a certain grave and sleepy dignity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_41" id="pg_41">41</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:395px">
+<a name="illus-021" id="illus-021"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-041.jpg" alt="" title="" width="395" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Arrived at the sentry-box, the Owl placed himself behind it, whilst the
+Rabbit, concealing the bottle of gum under his drum, went to the front
+and bid the Sentry &#8220;good-day.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_42" id="pg_42">42</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good-day,&#8221; said the Sentry. &#8220;What are you grinning at?&#8221; For the Rabbit
+was smiling from ear to ear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of much consequence,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;Merely a most comical little
+dream that the Owl&mdash;who happens for a wonder to be awake&mdash;has been
+telling me. It made me die of laughter.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pass it on,&#8221; said the Sentry.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t think of doing that,&#8221; replied the Rabbit. &#8220;I don&#8217;t approve
+of telling people&#8217;s own particular little stories; they prefer the fun
+of relating them themselves. Look here, you go round for a moment or two
+and get him to let you hear it before he drops asleep again. It is an
+occasion to seize, for he is hardly ever awake when other people are,
+and he tells a story better than anyone else I know.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I rather think I will,&#8221; answered the Sentry. &#8220;I&#8217;m very fond of a
+good story. You take my place whilst I&#8217;m away, there&#8217;s a<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_43" id="pg_43">43</a></span> good fellow.
+Here, put down your drum and take my bayonet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very good,&#8221; answered the Rabbit, and the Sentry hurried off.</p>
+
+<p>The moment he had turned the corner the Rabbit set to work and spread
+gum all over the floor of the sentry-box. Then, standing outside, he
+took up the bayonet and mounted guard, first carefully hiding the
+tell-tale bottle behind a box of bricks. By and by the Sentry returned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, it was not a very good story after all,&#8221; he said rudely. &#8220;Thank
+you for nothing. Why aren&#8217;t you in the sentry-box? I am inclined to
+bayonet you for breaking your word.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should not have been able to move about sufficiently,&#8221; the Rabbit
+answered. &#8220;I should have suffered from cramp.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_44" id="pg_44">44</a></span>&#8220;Stuff and nonsense!&#8221; the Sentry replied. &#8220;I stand in it for hours at a
+time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:400px">
+<a name="illus-022" id="illus-022"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-044.jpg" alt="" title="" width="400" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;But not without moving?&#8221; asked the Rabbit, with an air of disbelief.
+&#8220;Without stirring an eighth of an inch,&#8221; the Sentry said.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_45" id="pg_45">45</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe it,&#8221; replied the Rabbit. &#8220;I challenge you to keep
+perfectly still for any length of time. I bet you a gold piece you won&#8217;t
+stand motionless whilst I run home and back again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Done!&#8221; said the Sentry, and straightway stepped into his box.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This sentry-box gets slimy and dirty,&#8221; he said, without the least idea
+of what the Rabbit had done. &#8220;It is quite sticky with dirt. It wouldn&#8217;t
+be a bad thing if you were to clean it out for me some day.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll see,&#8221; answered the other carelessly, fearing to be either too
+polite or too rude lest he should arouse any suspicions in the Sentry&#8217;s
+mind. &#8220;I don&#8217;t generally care to do other people&#8217;s dirty work, but I may
+do that some day when I am not busy. You serve your country, so you
+deserve a little help.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t do it willingly, you shall do it unwillingly,&#8221; he
+blustered. &#8220;If <i>I</i> serve my country, <i>you</i> must serve me.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_46" id="pg_46">46</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s plenty of time to think it over,&#8221; answered the Rabbit. &#8220;In the
+meanwhile, you can&#8217;t stir even to have it cleaned or you lose your bet.
+I&#8217;m off. But wait, I must call the Owl to be a witness that you keep
+strictly to the terms we have agreed upon.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, having called the Owl and stated the terms of the bet, the Rabbit
+went home.</p>
+
+<p>Here he awaited the arrival of the Mouse, who presently returned, full
+of pretended sympathy for the dulness of the Sentry&#8217;s life.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He told me to-day,&#8221; said the little rascal, &#8220;that the dulness of his
+life was killing him. It struck me that it would be really an act of
+charity on our part to give him a little performance, and let him fully
+understand we expect no money for it. I hinted at something of the sort
+to him, and the poor fellow&#8217;s face lighted up in a way that was quite
+touching. Suppose we go his way now as we have a little spare time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m quite willing to,&#8221; replied the Rabbit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_47" id="pg_47">47</a></span> &#8220;But I&#8217;ve just come from
+him, and he never complained of dulness to me. In fact, he was in quite
+good enough spirits to have a bet with me on the subject of his being
+able to stand motionless for a certain time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, he did that to try and kill care, no doubt,&#8221; answered the Mouse. &#8220;I
+know him well, though he is a reserved chap and opens out his heart to
+few. Come on.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now by the time the Rabbit and the Mouse returned to the sentry-box, the
+gum had had time to get well dried, so that the Sentry was firmly fixed
+in his box. Nevertheless, there was still the danger that he might
+attempt to move, and so find out too soon the trick that had been played
+upon him. To avert this, directly the Rabbit came back again he lost no
+time in remarking to the Sentry:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I acknowledge you have won the bet. But you have only just managed
+to do so; you are looking quite tired out. Another five minutes or less,
+and you would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_48" id="pg_48">48</a></span> been unable to stand still a moment longer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Double or quits!&#8221; cried the Sentry. &#8220;For another gold piece, I&#8217;ll
+engage to keep still for the time you mention. If I fail to do so, of
+course you don&#8217;t pay me anything.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Agreed,&#8221; said the Rabbit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, friends,&#8221; exclaimed the Mouse, shaking his head, &#8220;do not give way
+to this habit! It is, indeed, a sad, bad one.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This he merely said to impress the Owl (on whom he had not counted as a
+spectator) with a sense of his moral worth. He hoped by this means to
+counteract any after suspicions that might arise in the good bird&#8217;s
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As to that,&#8221; said the Sentry, who was generally rude whether he was
+addressing friend or foe, &#8220;it is my own concern whether I bet or not.
+You had better not trouble yourself with my affairs, but if you really
+mean to give me one of your performances you would do well to begin.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as you will,&#8221; the Mouse said. &#8220;But<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_49" id="pg_49">49</a></span> I can&#8217;t help taking an
+interest in the welfare of those with whom I have to do.&#8221; Then
+addressing the Rabbit: &#8220;Dear friend,&#8221; he said smoothly, &#8220;will you open
+with your famous <i>r&ecirc;verie</i>, &#8216;Dreamings of a Drum,&#8217; whilst I perform my
+<i>pas de quatre</i>, &#8216;Twirlings of the Toes?&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-023" id="illus-023"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-049a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-049b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+&#8220;Very good,&#8221; agreed the Rabbit.</p>
+
+<p>And the two performers began. But in a few moments the Rabbit stopped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I cannot continue,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_50" id="pg_50">50</a></span> suffering from cramp in the muscles
+of my drum-legs.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear! What a pity!&#8221; exclaimed the Mouse. &#8220;Come for a walk and brace
+yourself up.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right!&#8221; answered the Rabbit. &#8220;We&#8217;ll go and fetch the gold pieces
+which I must give this fellow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you give me something at once?&#8221; asked the Sentry, who did not, in
+his greed of gold, wish to lose the chance of getting all he could.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve nothing with me,&#8221; replied the Rabbit. And so saying he followed
+the Mouse, who with his back towards the Sentry had already moved away.</p>
+
+<p>They had hardly gone more than half a dozen steps when the Mouse said
+suddenly and loudly: &#8220;<i>That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap</i>; he
+<i>knows how to handle the bayonet.</i>&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are right,&#8221; answered the Rabbit, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_51" id="pg_51">51</a></span> walked on, the Mouse doing
+the same, though with lagging steps.</p>
+
+<p>Presently a look of anger and wonder crept into his eyes, remarking
+which the Rabbit laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you laughing at?&#8221; asked the Mouse uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At nothing particular,&#8221; answered his companion. &#8220;Cheerfulness, you
+know, is a habit of the mind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment a loud groan burst from the Sentry, who during this time
+had been struggling to get free, and in a last frantic effort, had just
+succeeded in giving a most painful rick to his back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Our Sentry friend does not look happy,&#8221; said the Rabbit grimly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He is not well, I suppose,&#8221; answered the Mouse nervously. &#8220;What has
+happened, I wonder?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<span class="smcap">All is discovered!</span>&#8221; exclaimed the Rabbit loudly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_52" id="pg_52">52</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then as the Mouse made a desperate effort to run away, the Rabbit dealt
+him a blow on the back which injured the clockwork within his body and
+quite put a stop to his flight.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:453px">
+<a name="illus-024" id="illus-024"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-052.jpg" alt="" title="" width="453" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know all!&#8221; the Rabbit said sternly. &#8220;You are a little villain! What
+defence can you offer for so grossly deceiving me?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But the Mouse made no reply. In a fury of disappointment and fear he was
+biting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_53" id="pg_53">53</a></span> Rabbit&#8217;s legs, hoping thus to disable him and prevent his
+punishing the treachery that had been brought to light.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Desist!&#8221; cried the Rabbit, &#8220;or I shall end your life without delay. I
+repeat, what excuse can you offer for having so wickedly broken the
+terms of our agreement? You have tried to rob me of my life and my
+money. Make your defence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There was no written agreement,&#8221; answered the Mouse shamelessly. &#8220;Each
+was at liberty to understand it in his own way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Most wicked of animals, you are not fit to live,&#8221; cried the Rabbit with
+disgust. &#8220;Your moments are numbered.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then before the Mouse could offer any protest, the Rabbit bit his head
+right off and swallowed it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You will observe,&#8221; said the Rabbit to the Owl with dignity, &#8220;that I
+still maintain my proper position in the eyes of the world as a Welsh
+rare-bit, but the Mouse, owing to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_54" id="pg_54">54</a></span> misdeeds, is now in the
+contemptible state of the biter bit. Such is the end of the wicked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As for you,&#8221; he continued to the Sentry, who, with his boastful spirit
+crushed, stood trembling in the Sentry-box; &#8220;as for you, you have seen
+too much of the world and its ways. It would be better for you to see a
+little less of it for a time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, according to his intention, the Rabbit beat the Sentry about the
+head until he could not see out of his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It now only remains to deal with the Horse. I go to give him the due
+reward of his deeds,&#8221; the Rabbit remarked, taking up his drum and
+preparing to leave. But pausing a moment he added to the Owl: &#8220;With
+regard to you, my good friend, if ever an opportunity arises by which I
+can show you my gratitude for your kind services, rest assured that I
+shall eagerly avail myself of it.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_55" id="pg_55">55</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now, the next morning the woman who keeps this shop spoke severely to
+her own little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You have been touching the toys and damaging them,&#8221; she said with
+anger. &#8220;See what mischief you have done! You have knocked off the head
+of this mouse&mdash;and, what is more, I can&#8217;t find it anywhere,&mdash;you have
+rubbed all the paint off this sentry&#8217;s face, and you have broken the
+glass eyes of this brown horse. You shall be punished.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little girl began to whimper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have not hurt the toys,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I have never touched them since
+you put me to bed for breaking the baby doll.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The woman looked puzzled: &#8220;If you say you haven&#8217;t, you haven&#8217;t, I
+suppose,&#8221; she said, &#8220;for I know you are a truthful child. Then how has
+it happened? I shouldn&#8217;t think any customer would do it without my
+noticing. I can&#8217;t understand it.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_56" id="pg_56">56</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Nor can she to this day. But we can: you, the Rabbit, the Owl, the
+Sentry, the Horse, and myself. But not the Mouse, for he has lost his
+head.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:419px">
+<a name="illus-025" id="illus-025"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-056.jpg" alt="" title="" width="419" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:403px">
+<a name="ch3" id="ch3"></a><a name="illus-026" id="illus-026"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-057.jpg" alt="" title="" width="403" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_57" id="pg_57">57</a></span>Here the little Marionette paused.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is all,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What a good thing that the Mouse had his head bitten off,&#8221; said the
+little girl thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was just as well,&#8221; the Marionette answered, &#8220;since he could use it
+to no better purpose.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Some of the toys were very wicked in that story, I think; dreadfully
+wicked.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think the same. They were bad, wicked toys, with bad, wicked ways.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_58" id="pg_58">58</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are many of the toys you know as wicked as that?&#8221; asked Molly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear no!&#8221; said the little Marionette, quite shocked. &#8220;Most of my
+friends and acquaintances are really wonderfully well-behaved.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you know, I should like you next time to tell me about one of them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;About some one simple, perhaps?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I think so.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette thought a moment.</p>
+
+<p>Then she said: &#8220;I know of no one more simple than Belinda.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tell me about her, if you please.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very good. You shall hear of Belinda and her simplicity.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So the next day she told her friend the story of</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;<span class="smcap">Belinda.</span>&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_59" id="pg_59">59</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:410px">
+<a name="illus-027" id="illus-027"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-059.jpg" alt="" title="" width="410" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Belinda was a little wax doll who had a most charming way of opening and
+shutting her eyes. When Mortals were about, she could not do it unless
+they helped by pulling a wire. But when once the shop was closed, and
+the toys, left to themselves, could move at pleasure, <i>then</i> Belinda
+pulled her own wires and opened and shut her eyes as she pleased. She
+did this in so simple and unaffected a fashion that it delighted
+everyone to see her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What simplicity! what delightful simplicity!&#8221; said the other toys.
+&#8220;&#8217;Tis really charming!&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_60" id="pg_60">60</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Singularly simple,&#8221; repeated the Butcher, who always stood at the door
+of his shop, watching for the customers that so seldom came. &#8220;She is
+like an innocent lamb,&#8221; he added, his thoughts turning to his trade; &#8220;a
+simple, harmless lamb.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>Elle est tr&egrave;s gentille, la petite Belinde</i>,&#8221; remarked Mademoiselle
+Cerise, the French doll just arrived from Paris. &#8220;<i>Elle est une jeune
+fille fort bien &eacute;lev&eacute;e; elle ferme les yeux d&#8217;une fa&ccedil;on vraiment
+ravissante.</i>&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here we are again, Simplicity and Self!&#8221; said the Clown, turning a
+somersault and landing by Belinda&#8217;s side with a broad grin upon his
+face.</p>
+
+<p>She made no reply, but instantly closed her eyes. She was not quite sure
+but that he was laughing at her, so she thought it more prudent not to
+see him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There! did you notice?&#8221; ... &#8220;Wasn&#8217;t it pretty and simple?&#8221; said all the
+Toys to one another as they looked at Belinda.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_61" id="pg_61">61</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:414px">
+<a name="illus-028" id="illus-028"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-061.jpg" alt="" title="" width="414" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>I must, however, make an exception when I say &#8220;all&#8221; the Toys. There was
+one who did not utter a word. This was Jack, the curly-headed
+Sailor-Boy, who was deeply in love with Belinda. He was so unhappy about
+the matter that he feared to speak of her lest in so doing the thought
+of his sorrow should make him shed unmanly tears in public.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_62" id="pg_62">62</a></span></p>
+
+<p>I will tell you the cause of his grief. He could not make her see how
+much he loved her. Whenever he came near her she immediately closed her
+eyes. So that it did not matter what expression he assumed, it was all
+wasted on Belinda. He worried himself about it very much.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is it,&#8221; said he to himself, &#8220;because she doesn&#8217;t happen to see, or
+because she doesn&#8217;t wish to see? How can I make her open her eyes? Shall
+I speak to her coldly or gently, with mirth or with melancholy, in
+poetry or in prose?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I will be poetical,&#8221; he resolved; &#8220;I will sing her a song of love. That
+may induce her to open her eyes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now Jack was only a simple Sailor-Lad; he knew little music and less
+poetry. A few sea-songs and one or two little ballads, these were all he
+had to trust to, and he could think of none that seemed suitable to the
+occasion.</p>
+
+<p>He thought long, and finally remembered<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_63" id="pg_63">63</a></span> the beginning of an old song
+which, with a little alteration, would, he decided, do very well. So, in
+a rough but tender voice, he thus sang to his lady-love:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;Of all the girls I love so well,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There&#8217;s none I love like &#8217;Linder;</span><br />
+She is the darling of my heart,&mdash;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And Linder rhymes with cinder.&#8221;</span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This,&#8221; he said to himself, &#8220;will teach her how deep and how true my
+love is for her. <i>This</i> should open her eyes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But Belinda, quite unmoved, sat with them tightly closed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I will try again,&#8221; he said to himself. And he sang the verse once more,
+though this time his voice shook so greatly with emotion that he was
+obliged to stop in the middle in order to steady it.</p>
+
+<p>After this he sat silent, hoping that Belinda would even now open her
+eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_64" id="pg_64">64</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then,&#8221; said he, &#8220;she will see how sad I look, and she will surely be
+touched.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But disappointment was again his lot. She never opened even half an eye.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shiver my timbers!&#8221; said the luckless Sailor-Lad, &#8220;she&#8217;ll be the death
+of me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And he went away mournfully whistling &#8220;<i>The Death of Nelson</i>.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then he tried to startle her by suddenly shouting within her hearing a
+few seafaring expressions he knew. &#8220;Hard-a-port! Lay aft! Yo, heave ho!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>She half-opened her eyes, but immediately closed them again. &#8220;Those
+expressions sound a little rough,&#8221; she remarked.</p>
+
+<p>He felt sorely tried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;None so blind as those who <i>won&#8217;t</i> see, my lass,&#8221; he said one day.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should have thought,&#8221; she answered with unaffected surprise, &#8220;it was
+those who <i>can&#8217;t</i> see.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have you looked up through the sky-light<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_65" id="pg_65">65</a></span> this afternoon?&#8221; he asked.
+&#8220;The sunset is glorious.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Describe it to me. I love descriptions,&#8221; she said with simple
+enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:402px">
+<a name="illus-029" id="illus-029"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-065.jpg" alt="" title="" width="402" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;You had better see it for yourself,&#8221; he said crossly and turned away.
+He felt so wretched that really he would have liked to go to sea.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_66" id="pg_66">66</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He sighed again,&mdash;and looked back at Belinda. Why, her eyes were open!
+He hurried over to her, pinching with great energy his arm as he went,
+in order to make himself tearful, and thus, if possible, appear more
+miserable than he already did. The tears did come, but just as he got to
+Belinda she closed her eyes once more.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The sunset is indeed perfect,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I have been watching it till
+my eyes ache, and I cannot keep them open any longer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I look just as if I had a cold in my head. You can see that for
+yourself, can&#8217;t you?&#8221; he asked, hoping that this question would induce
+her to glance at him and observe his tears.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, no,&#8221; she answered, &#8220;I can&#8217;t because my eyes are closed. But if you
+say so, I suppose you must be correct.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Belinda, I love you,&#8221; said he.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thank you very much,&#8221; answered she. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t it extraordinary weather for
+this time of<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_67" id="pg_67">67</a></span> the year? I can hardly believe that we are in the middle
+of summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Poor Jack left in despair, and this time he whistled a funeral march.</p>
+
+<p>But like a true-hearted sailor, he resolved to try again. So the next
+day he said to her:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Belinda, I&#8217;m afraid we are going to have heavy weather, there are so
+many clouds overhead. Look up out of the sky-light and you will see for
+yourself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would rather not,&#8221; she said, keeping her eyes tightly closed. &#8220;I
+don&#8217;t like seeing clouds; it depresses my spirits.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You can look out of the sky-light <i>now</i>,&#8221; he said to her later,
+&#8220;without being afraid of seeing the clouds. They have all cleared away
+and it is blue again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I can enjoy my afternoon nap,&#8221; she remarked simply, &#8220;without fear
+of thunder.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And on this occasion the poor curly-headed Sailor felt too miserable
+even to attempt whistling; he went away in dumb despair!<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_68" id="pg_68">68</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was just about this time that Mademoiselle Cerise was bought by a
+lady as a present for her little god-daughter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But the color of the doll&#8217;s dress has become faded,&#8221; said the lady.
+&#8220;She must have a new one before I take her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That can easily be arranged in a day,&#8221; said the owner of the shop.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very well,&#8221; answered the lady, &#8220;then I will buy her. You need not send
+her. I will bring my little friend with me to-morrow afternoon when we
+shall be passing your shop. She will like to carry her new doll through
+the streets.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Next morning when Mademoiselle Cerise was brought back to the shop after
+having been absent since the previous afternoon, the Sailor-Lad was
+struck by something very familiar about the appearance of her new blue
+muslin dress. At first he could not think why. Then he understood; the
+muslin was&mdash;so it seemed to him&mdash;of exactly the same pattern<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_69" id="pg_69">69</a></span> and
+exactly the same color as Belinda&#8217;s dress.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:420px">
+<a name="illus-030" id="illus-030"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-069.jpg" alt="" title="" width="420" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>As he realized this a sudden thought struck him, upon which he acted
+without delay.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_70" id="pg_70">70</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Coming up to Belinda softly, who was sitting with her eyes closed, he
+exclaimed loudly and suddenly in her ear: &#8220;Belinda, Belinda!
+Mademoiselle Cerise has on a dress precisely like yours!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No!&#8221; she said, and opened her eyes in a moment. She gazed around
+anxiously for Mademoiselle Cerise, but the Sailor-Boy placed himself
+right before her and looked at her as adoringly as he knew how.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Belinda,&#8221; he said, &#8220;how I love you!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you?&#8221; said she with great surprise. &#8220;Well, you don&#8217;t love me more
+than I love you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You make me very happy, my lass,&#8221; said he. &#8220;But why are you astonished
+at my saying I love you? Have I not told you so before?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought you were quizzing,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The sad expression of my face should have told you I was not quizzing,&#8221;
+he replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_71" id="pg_71">71</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How could I tell what your expression was when I never saw it?&#8221; she
+asked with some reproach.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You did not see it because you always closed your eyes when I spoke to
+you,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;What made you do that?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Belinda thought a moment</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was merely a habit I had fallen into,&#8221; said she.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You should never become a slave to a habit,&#8221; replied the curly-headed
+Sailor-Lad. He spoke reprovingly, as he thought of his many heart-aches.</p>
+
+<p>She did not like to be reproved, so she changed the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You made a mistake,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Mademoiselle Cerise&#8217;s dress is very
+pretty, but it is not <i>precisely</i> like mine; the pattern is larger and a
+little louder, and the color is lighter and a little harsher.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, perhaps,&#8221; said the Sailor-Lad. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_72" id="pg_72">72</a></span> spoke very cheerful now, he
+felt in such good spirits.</p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p>&#8220;I am very glad that the Sailor-Boy was happy at last,&#8221; said the little
+girl. &#8220;I was afraid Belinda never meant to open her eyes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It certainly looked like it at one time,&#8221; answered the little
+Marionette. &#8220;However, it was all right in the end, for she opened them
+in time to prevent her Sailor-Boy&#8217;s heart from breaking.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder why she kept them closed so long.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder,&#8221; reflected the little Marionette. And she smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Force of habit, I suppose, as she herself said,&#8221; she remarked after a
+pause. &#8220;We all have our little ways. Now what sort of story would you
+like to-morrow?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little girl thought deeply for a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_73" id="pg_73">73</a></span> moments. Then she said: &#8220;You
+have told me a story about a sailor, so I should like the next one to be
+about a soldier.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A soldier&mdash;a soldier&mdash;&#8221; the Marionette answered. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think I know
+one about a soldier&mdash;Yes, stay; there is the story of the Officer and
+the Elephant. That is about a soldier.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;An Officer and an Elephant! How nice!&#8221; exclaimed the little girl
+eagerly. &#8220;I am quite certain it must be very funny.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think the Officer found it so,&#8221; the little lady replied, giving
+a sweet, little tinkling laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t he?&#8221; asked her listener with much interest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish you would tell me all about it now,&#8221; she continued; &#8220;I want so
+much to hear it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not now,&#8221; replied the little Marionette, &#8220;it is getting too late; all
+the animals in the Noah&#8217;s Ark are fast asleep. Listen, they are snoring<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_74" id="pg_74">74</a></span>
+loudly. Come to-morrow at the same time. Be punctual, for the story is a
+long one.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I will,&#8221; promised the little girl.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:349px">
+<a name="illus-031" id="illus-031"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-074.jpg" alt="" title="" width="349" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:390px">
+<a name="ch4" id="ch4"></a><a name="illus-032" id="illus-032"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-075.jpg" alt="" title="" width="390" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_75" id="pg_75">75</a></span>The
+next day she was as good as her word, arriving to the very minute. It
+was the little Marionette who was not in time. It was quite five minutes
+before she tripped up the counter and greeted her little friend. The
+little girl looked at her with some reproach.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is <i>you</i> who are late, not I,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is it?&#8221; replied the little Marionette. &#8220;Well, I <i>am</i> ashamed. However,
+here I am now, so I will begin at once to tell you my tale.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And settling herself down, and smoothing out her beautiful brocade
+dress, she began without further ado, the story of:</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;<span class="smcap">The Officer and the Elephant.</span>&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:403px">
+<a name="illus-033" id="illus-033"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-076.jpg" alt="" title="" width="403" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_76" id="pg_76">76</a></span>Amongst
+all the Toys in the toy-shop, none were so disliked and feared
+as the twelve Wooden Soldiers who, with an imposing Officer at their
+head, proudly faced the world in double file.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, they were intensely proud and vain. They showed this
+in everything they did. For example, their drill was of the most simple
+description. It merely consisted in their moving backwards and forwards
+from one another on a platform of sticks, which could be drawn out or in
+at pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>This, it will easily be believed, required no<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_77" id="pg_77">77</a></span> great skill or knowledge.
+Yet, to judge from the pride expressed upon the faces of the Wooden
+Soldiers as they went through this simple movement, one would have
+certainly imagined it was exceedingly difficult.</p>
+
+<p>Their foolish pride was also displayed in their manner towards others.
+No one ventured to ask them even the most civil of questions for fear of
+receiving a rude answer. Father Christmas one afternoon happened to
+inquire at the Commanding-officer what time it was.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Time,&#8221; he replied, &#8220;for little boys to be in bed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You might,&#8221; said the patriarch gravely, &#8220;have shown a little respect
+for the length of my beard and the whiteness of my hairs. &#8217;Tis hardly
+the way to speak to a man of my years and standing. One, too, who with
+the decline of the year expects to be at the top of the tree.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But the Officer merely laughed loudly and shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>From this instance, which is only one example<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_78" id="pg_78">78</a></span> of many, you will easily
+understand how the Wooden Soldiers came to be disliked in the toy-shop.</p>
+
+<p>As for the fear they inspired, this was partly owing to the long swords
+they wore, and partly owing to the boasting way in which they vowed they
+could use them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My men and I really command the whole shop,&#8221; said the Officer one day.
+&#8220;Moreover, who faces one, faces all, for we all march in the same
+direction. We not only have our good swords, but we know how to use
+them. They are sheathed now, but let no one count upon that to offend
+us. Let but a foolhardy toy dare insult us, and&mdash;&#8221; here he gave the word
+of command, and instantly a dozen and one swords sprang from their
+scabbards.</p>
+
+<p>The lady Dolls shrieked, the Grocer and the Butcher began to put up
+their shutters with trembling hands; the white, furry Rabbit became a
+shade whiter; and the corners of the Clown&#8217;s mouth dropped instead of
+going up as<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_79" id="pg_79">79</a></span> usual. It was plain that a general panic was felt.</p>
+
+<p>The only Toy that did not appear to be affected was the great gray
+Elephant lately arrived. He twisted his trunk round thoughtfully, but
+never changed countenance.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:394px">
+<a name="illus-034" id="illus-034"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-079.jpg" alt="" title="" width="394" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>The Officer saw the general terror he had inspired, and both he and his
+Soldiers were well pleased.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Besides,&#8221; he continued, speaking more loudly than before, &#8220;if our
+swords fail us we shall have recourse to gunpowder, which will make
+short work of our enemies.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_80" id="pg_80">80</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Elephant looked at the Officer and his men.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see it,&#8221; he said bluntly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t suppose you would,&#8221; said the Officer scornfully. &#8220;Don&#8217;t speak
+in such a hurry. The powder I&#8217;m speaking of is felt but not seen. It&#8217;s
+our last improvement, arrived at by slow degrees. Gunpowder,&mdash;smokeless
+gunpowder,&mdash;soundless gunpowder,&mdash;invisible gunpowder. Thus we may
+surround an enemy with enough gunpowder to blow up a town, but they
+neither see it nor hear it. In fact, they know nothing about it until
+they are blown up.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This time all the Toys nearly expired with fright! The Elephant only
+remained, as before, unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Invisible gunpowder is more humane in the end,&#8221; the Officer continued.
+&#8220;You are quite unaware of what is happening until you find yourself in
+pieces.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The same thing may happen to yourself, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_81" id="pg_81">81</a></span> suppose?&#8221; asked the Elephant,
+in his heavy and clumsy fashion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Beg pardon; did anyone speak?&#8221; inquired the Officer in the most
+insulting of voices. For he despised the Elephant and wished to snub
+him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:400px">
+<a name="illus-035" id="illus-035"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-081.jpg" alt="" title="" width="400" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I asked you if the same might not happen to yourself?&#8221; the Elephant
+repeated, regardless of the Officer&#8217;s attempt to make him appear<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_82" id="pg_82">82</a></span>
+foolish. &#8220;What if the enemy serves you the same way?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That difficulty, my good beast,&#8221; he answered in his most overbearing
+manner, &#8220;is easily disposed of. We have special Soldiers trained to
+<i>smell</i> gunpowder. We have merely to send out these scouts, and we can
+trace the gunpowder anywhere within gunshot.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe it,&#8221; said the Elephant.</p>
+
+<p>The Officer at this laughed a grim laugh, truly awful to hear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ha, Ha!&#8221; he exclaimed; &#8220;do not provoke me too far lest I slay you with
+my sword. I&#8217;m a man of sport, and to do the act would cause me no little
+diversion. Beware!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Elephant made no reply, which induced the Officer to think he had
+frightened him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A great clumsy beast of no spirit,&#8221; he said to his Soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Right, sir,&#8221; answered the Soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now to drill,&#8221; he continued sharply.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_83" id="pg_83">83</a></span> &#8220;Attention! Eyes right, eyes
+left; right movement, left movement; swords out, swords in!
+Mark&mdash;<i>time</i>!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This last command they were obliged to obey with their heads, their feet
+being tightly gummed on to the platform. So tightly gummed that they
+could not get free even when Mortals were not present, and all the Toys
+were at liberty to speak, walk, and talk. Indeed, nothing but a strong
+blow could possibly loosen them from their position.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, when they marched or even took a simple walk they were
+obliged to march or walk in a body, taking the platform with them.
+Again, if the Commanding-officer granted leave of absence to one, he was
+obliged to grant it to all, even to himself, otherwise no one could have
+taken it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come,&#8221; said the Officer to the Elephant one day, &#8220;you are a bright
+beast. Let me propound you a mathematical problem. If a<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_84" id="pg_84">84</a></span> herring and a
+half cost three halfpence, how much would six herrings cost?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as much as they ought to, if you went to an honest fishmonger,&#8221;
+answered the Elephant.</p>
+
+<p>The Officer and his men laughed loudly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Capital, capital!&#8221; said the bully. &#8220;If you distinguish yourself in this
+way we shall have to make you Mathematical Instructor-in-General to the
+whole army.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But the Elephant made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the thickest-skinned animal I ever met,&#8221; said the Officer to his
+men.</p>
+
+<p>But herein he made a mistake. The Elephant never forgot an insult, but
+paid it back upon the first opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>The opportunity, in this case, was not long in arriving; it came,
+indeed, all too soon for the Officer&#8217;s taste.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred in this way.</p>
+
+<p>One day a little boy came into the shop and asked to look at some
+soldiers, upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_85" id="pg_85">85</a></span> which the shopwoman showed him the wooden warriors.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t like them,&#8221; he said; &#8220;they have to move all the same way at
+once. It is very stupid of them. Have you no others?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not just at the moment,&#8221; replied the shopwoman. &#8220;We are expecting some
+more. They should have been here several days ago.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I&#8217;ll take a train,&#8221; said the boy. &#8220;But it is very funny that you
+should have such a poor lot of soldiers as these.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That silly remark will make the Toys less afraid of us,&#8221; thought the
+Officer to himself with some alarm. &#8220;I shall make the men practise
+sword-drill in the most open fashion for several hours. This will remind
+the world that we are not to be trifled with.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But it is one thing to make a resolution and quite another thing to
+carry it into effect. This the Officer was to experience ere the day was
+over.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_86" id="pg_86">86</a></span></p>
+
+<p>For in putting the Soldiers back into their place the shopwoman happened
+to hit the Officer with some force against a dolls&#8217; house. Being a very
+hard blow it knocked him off the platform, and, unnoticed by her, he
+fell on his back upon the counter.</p>
+
+<p>Now came the time for the Elephant&#8217;s revenge. <i>The Officer fell just
+under the animal&#8217;s trunk!</i></p>
+
+<p>It was, as the Officer at once realized, by no means a pleasant
+situation. As his men were some yards away from him, and unable to come
+in a body to his rescue till perhaps too late, the Officer was
+exceedingly uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had better soothe the monster,&#8221; he said to himself. Then aloud, and
+in a pleasant voice: &#8220;What a nice handy trunk that is of yours; you must
+be able to carry so much in it? As for me, I have to travel with a
+portmanteau, a Gladstone-bag, a hat-box, and a gun-case; it is a
+terrible nuisance.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He paused, but the Elephant made no reply.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_87" id="pg_87">87</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is not very pleasant,&#8221; said the Officer uneasily to himself. &#8220;I
+fear the beast is of a sulky temper. What <i>will</i> happen to me?&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:427px">
+<a name="illus-036" id="illus-036"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-087.jpg" alt="" title="" width="427" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>And he lay still, trembling and fearful.</p>
+
+<p>At last the day closed in, the Mortals shut<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_88" id="pg_88">88</a></span> up the shop and left, and
+the time of the Toys arrived.</p>
+
+<p>The Elephant then addressed the Officer in a slow voice and ponderous
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I feel inclined to trample on you,&#8221; he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>The Officer closed his eyes with terror; then, half-opening them, he
+endeavored to look defiantly and speak boldly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pre-pre-sump-tu-tu-ous b-b-b-beast!&#8221; he faltered.</p>
+
+<p>The Elephant looked at him threateningly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was on-on-ly my f-f-un!&#8221; stammered the Officer, trembling with fear,
+and all the crimson fading from his cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you wish me to spare your life?&#8221; asked the Elephant.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is very valuable,&#8221; the Officer replied more calmly as he regained
+courage, and unable to forget his foolish pride even in that awful
+moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_89" id="pg_89">89</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The world can do without it,&#8221; said the great beast threateningly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Spare me!&#8221; cried the coward and bully.</p>
+
+<p>The Elephant paused.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very good,&#8221; he answered, &#8220;but only upon my own conditions.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, certainly,&#8221; the Officer said in a fawning voice. &#8220;Many
+thanks; any conditions that you may think proper.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After this the Elephant thought for a long while. Then he said:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;These are my conditions. You must submit to let me carry you up and
+down the counter, stopping before such Toys as I shall see fit. And
+whenever I stop, you are to announce yourself in these words:
+&#8216;<i>Good-evening. Have you kicked the coward and the bully? The real
+genuine article, no imitation. If you have not kicked him already, kick
+him without delay.</i>&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is too bad of you to require me to say this,&#8221; the Officer cried, his
+anger for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_90" id="pg_90">90</a></span> moment overcoming his fear. &#8220;But then you are not a
+gentleman. You are&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When you have done,&#8221; interrupted the Elephant, &#8220;I will begin.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So saying, and amidst the intense excitement of the other Toys, the
+Elephant, with his trunk, slowly picked up his fallen foe by the back of
+the coat and began his ponderous march&mdash;so triumphant for himself, so
+humiliating for the Officer.</p>
+
+<p>The programme was carried out exactly as the Elephant had said it should
+be, for the great gray beast was a beast of his word. He never made up
+his mind in a foolish hurry, but having made it up he rarely altered it.</p>
+
+<p>And so it was upon this occasion. After every few steps the huge
+creature stopped before one or another of the Toys, when the former
+tyrant was obliged to announce himself as a coward and a bully, and
+invite a kicking, an invitation which was always accepted, and acted
+upon with much heartiness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_91" id="pg_91">91</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Finally the avenger laid the Officer on the platform, from which the
+Wooden Soldiers had been watching with amazement and horror the journey
+of the Commanding-officer; understanding as they did for the first time
+the strength of the great beast and afraid to interfere.</p>
+
+<p>Having placed his humble foe in his old position, only upon his back
+instead of upon his feet, the Elephant with his trunk deliberately
+knocked over all the Soldiers one after the other. Then he grunted and
+walked slowly away.</p>
+
+<p>So ended the reign of terror which the Officer and his Soldiers had
+established over the toy-shop. And so universal was the relief
+experienced after the strain that had been felt, that the Elephant was
+everywhere hailed as a Friend to the Public. Indeed, during the
+remainder of his stay in the shop, he was treated with greater respect
+and deference than any other toy,&mdash;Father Christmas only excepted,&mdash;and<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_92" id="pg_92">92</a></span>
+when he left at Christmas-time, the regret expressed was both loud and
+sincere.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:422px">
+<a name="illus-037" id="illus-037"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-092.jpg" alt="" title="" width="422" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-038" id="illus-038"></a><a name="ch5" id="ch5"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-093a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" style="margin-right:100%" />
+<img src="images/illus-093b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_93" id="pg_93">93</a></span>&#8220;I am a little bit sorry for the Officer,&#8221; said the little girl. &#8220;He
+must have been a good deal hurt. And he must have felt very silly, too,&#8221;
+she added.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Almost worse than being hurt, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; said the little Marionette.
+&#8220;Yes, I was a little sorry for him myself; but I think he deserved all
+he got.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes; because he <i>was</i> a horrid bully, wasn&#8217;t he?&#8221; said the little girl.
+&#8220;And his men, too, were as bad as he. I always used to like
+toy-soldiers. I never shall again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should not like you to judge of all soldiers by the wooden ones I
+have told you of,&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_94" id="pg_94">94</a></span> said the Marionette. &#8220;We <i>have</i> had in the shop sets
+of wooden and tin soldiers of the highest character; gallant fellows,
+beloved and esteemed by all. I will tell you of them to-morrow if you
+like.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little girl considered a moment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think,&#8221; she said at length, &#8220;I would rather hear something quite
+different for a change. If you do not mind,&#8221; she added politely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not in the least,&#8221; replied the little lady. &#8220;I shall think of a story
+that shall have nothing to do with soldiers, good, bad, or indifferent.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So on the morrow when they met again the Marionette said:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have thought of quite a different sort of story to the one I told you
+yesterday.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; said her little friend. &#8220;Please begin.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; she said as the little Marionette remained silent.
+&#8220;Yes&mdash;yes&mdash;<i>do</i> begin!&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_95" id="pg_95">95</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Patience, patience! I am just considering for a moment if I have the
+story correct in every respect. It is now some time since it happened,
+and one&#8217;s memory is apt to play one tricks when one is telling stories
+of other people. But I think I remember it correctly. So I will begin
+without further delay the history of:</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;&#8216;<span class="smcap">The Little Dancer.</span>&#8217;&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_96" id="pg_96">96</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:400px">
+<a name="illus-039" id="illus-039"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-096.jpg" alt="" title="" width="400" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>There never was a prettier dancer than the Little Dancer of the frizzy
+dark hair, and the blue tulle dress with silver spangles.</p>
+
+<p>Forward, backward, forward, backward went her little feet with rapid,
+dainty movement, whilst the small musical-box&mdash;on the top of which she
+gracefully danced&mdash;tinkled, tinkled, tinkled out its gay little tune,
+and all the Toys watched her with the greatest delight.</p>
+
+<p>Truly she bewitched all who saw her, and gained much admiration. But she
+was<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_97" id="pg_97">97</a></span> very modest, and not at all conceited, so that she was not only
+admired but also loved; which, as you will agree, is far better.</p>
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-040" id="illus-040"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-097a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-097b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-097c.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+She took life very easily and happily, till it happened one day that she
+saw the Bicycle-man, and unfortunately fell in love with him as he went
+by. He was a very handsome fellow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_98" id="pg_98">98</a></span> and made a good appearance upon his
+bicycle.</p>
+
+<p>Directly the Little Dancer saw him she loved him, and she lost no time
+in telling him so. She spoke without any hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear heart, I love you,&#8221; she said as she danced.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Bicycle-man was very vain, and was therefore not a little
+gratified at the impression he had made. But he pretended to be much
+displeased.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You should not have said that until I had first said something of the
+sort,&#8221; replied the Bicycle-man. &#8220;It was not your place to speak first.
+You are very forward.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And he rode on.</p>
+
+<p>The Little Dancer was much distressed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He is angry,&#8221; she said to her friend the Little China Doll next to her,
+with the two long flaxen pigtails hanging down her back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He is angry.&#8221; And she danced more slowly and less gaily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_99" id="pg_99">99</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What of that?&#8221; said her friend, tossing her head. &#8220;It is of no
+consequence.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No; it is of no consequence,&#8221; repeated the Little Dancer. But she felt
+unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>The next day the Bicycle-man passed that way again, and she danced her
+very best, hoping to win his heart.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is really not bad,&#8221; he said; &#8220;not at all bad. You dance quite
+nicely, as dancing goes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh sweetheart, I love you!&#8221; she said, encouraged by his praise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I really cannot stand such remarks,&#8221; said the Bicycle-man. &#8220;They make
+me both angry and confused.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And he went on, leaving her in tears.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why do you trouble about him?&#8221; said the Little China Doll. &#8220;He is not
+worth it. A penny Toy, indeed! You turn his head. Take no more notice of
+him.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t,&#8221; replied the Little Dancer tearfully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_100" id="pg_100">100</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So the next time he stopped to watch her dancing she did not speak to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are getting rude now,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I am not sure whether that is not
+worse than being forward.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What shall I say?&#8221; asked the Little Dancer. &#8220;My words do not please
+you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should not be displeased if you were to say &#8216;good-day&#8217;,&#8221; he replied.
+&#8220;It would only be polite, and I never find fault with politeness.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good-day,&#8221; she said, as she practised her steps.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is that all?&#8221; he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is all,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have a bit of news for you,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I am thinking of marrying the
+doll to whom the Red House belongs. It is a comfortable house, well
+built, and well appointed. You shall come and have tea with us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Little Dancer burst into tears, and her feet moved more slowly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_101" id="pg_101">101</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why are you crying?&#8221; asked the Bicycle-man, with pretended surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear heart, Oh dear heart, I love you!&#8221; she wept.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, so do many others,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;It isn&#8217;t my fault&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And mounting his bicycle he rode away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you see you are making him terribly conceited?&#8221; said the Little
+China Doll. &#8220;It is absurd of you. Try to be more sensible.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I love him so, I love him so!&#8221; sobbed the Little Dancer. &#8220;My heart is
+broken.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow the Bicycle-man appeared as usual.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is all settled,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I hope to marry the doll to whom the Red
+House belongs, before the week is out. I fear my marriage will be a
+disappointment to many a lady.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Little Dancer made no reply: she was too heart-broken to utter a
+sound.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_102" id="pg_102">102</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you not going to wish me happiness?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>But the Little Dancer still spoke not. She danced faster and faster as
+the tears fell from her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The Bicycle-man did not notice how quickly her tears were falling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your silence is a sad want of manners,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Uncivility is far
+from attractive.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Still the little Dancer made no answer; she could not speak, she was
+crying so bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, good-day,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It is very evident that you did not pay the
+extra twopence for manners.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then he left.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Stop dancing,&#8221; said the Little China Doll to the Little Dancer. &#8220;You
+are not in a fit state to dance. You will kill yourself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I <i>must</i> dance till I forget, or till I die,&#8221; she answered&mdash;sobbing.</p>
+
+<p>And then she danced faster, <i>faster</i>, <span class="smcap">FASTER</span>, till she went at quite a
+furious rate. Her little<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_103" id="pg_103">103</a></span> feet went to and fro so quickly you could
+hardly see them.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:370px">
+<a name="illus-041" id="illus-041"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-103.jpg" alt="" title="" width="370" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_104" id="pg_104">104</a></span>The China Doll implored the poor Little Dancer to stop, but she did not
+heed her. She continued dancing, dancing, dancing all through the day,
+all through the evening, and far into the night. Till, at last,
+something within her went&mdash;<i>Snap</i>!</p>
+
+<p>And she fell flat on the ground, and the gay little tune stopped
+suddenly. The clockwork within her had broken. She had danced herself to
+death!</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the Bicycle-man came again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The wedding is put off&mdash;&#8221; he began. Then he saw the lifeless form of
+the Little Dancer, and he turned pale.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You have killed her by your vanity,&#8221; said the China Doll severely. &#8220;If
+you had stayed away she would have forgotten you. But you <i>would</i> come
+because it pleased your conceit to hear her say she loved you, and to
+hear her lament because you did not love her. She has danced herself to
+death in her despair. Alas! Alas! My poor friend!&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_105" id="pg_105">105</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I really believe I loved her after all,&#8221; said the Bicycle-man in a sad
+voice. &#8220;What can I say or do to make some slight amends? Tell me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is nothing to be said or done,&#8221; said the China Doll. &#8220;The poor
+Little Dancer is dead. It is too late! Go and marry the Doll of the Red
+House.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to <i>now</i>,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Henceforward my life shall be
+passed mourning for the Little Dancer who broke her heart because of me.
+And from this time I shall ride my bicycle sitting with my back to the
+handle, and with my hands behind me. It will be a most absurd position,
+but it will serve as a punishment to remind me of the sad end to which
+my vanity brought my poor little sweetheart.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And he strictly kept his resolve. At first the other Toys laughed: then
+they wondered; then they inquired into the meaning of so strange a
+performance. And when they heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_106" id="pg_106">106</a></span> the story, such of them as had heads
+shook them, and all said gravely:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Tis well and nobly meant. But it won&#8217;t mend the poor Little Dancer&#8217;s
+heart. Alas! Alack-a-day!&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:349px">
+<a name="illus-042" id="illus-042"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-106.jpg" alt="" title="" width="349" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:437px">
+<a name="ch6" id="ch6"></a><a name="illus-043" id="illus-043"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-107.jpg" alt="" title="" width="437" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_107" id="pg_107">107</a></span>When the tale was ended the little girl took out her handkerchief and
+wiped her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come, this won&#8217;t do,&#8221; said the little Marionette. &#8220;I should not have
+told you the story if I had thought you were going to take it so much to
+heart.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am very sorry for the poor Little Dancer,&#8221; she replied sadly; &#8220;I wish
+that the Bicycle-man had not been so unkind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, it is all over now. Wipe your eyes; you can&#8217;t do any good
+by crying, and I don&#8217;t like seeing tears,&#8221; said her friend.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind; I rather like feeling sad,&#8221; Molly answered politely, though
+tearfully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_108" id="pg_108">108</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Still, a little sadness goes a long way,&#8221; remarked the Marionette.
+&#8220;There is no doubt of that. I think I had better tell you something to
+amuse you now.&#8221; She thought a moment and then she laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you laughing at?&#8221; asked the little girl with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At the remembrance of the Hansom-driver,&#8221; she answered. &#8220;I never can
+think of him without laughing. Shall I tell you his story? I shall have
+time to do so this evening, for it is short, like the one I have just
+finished.&#8221; And she began the story of:</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;<span class="smcap">THE HANSOM-DRIVER.</span>&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:410px">
+<a name="illus-044" id="illus-044"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-109.jpg" alt="" title="" width="410" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_109" id="pg_109">109</a></span>The Hansom-driver was indeed very plain, but he fancied himself very
+beautiful. &#8217;Tis thus that we are liable to make errors of judgment;
+especially respecting ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>His cheeks were crimson and his nose was the same hue, yet he was quite
+convinced that all the young lady dolls envied him his complexion. His
+eyes were dull as lead, but in his boundless conceit he always compared
+them to sparkling diamonds.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, his appearance was terribly<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_110" id="pg_110">110</a></span> against him, yet his constant
+complaint was that he attracted so much attention, and won so much
+admiration wherever he went, that he could almost find it in his heart
+to wish he had been born ugly.</p>
+
+<p>His own looks were his constant topic of conversation, till at length
+the other Toys quaked when he opened his mouth, knowing very well how
+they were going to suffer.</p>
+
+<p>Amongst those who suffered the most from his talk were the Butcher, the
+Baker, and the Clown. They lived at the opposite side of the counter,
+where he drove every morning to give his orders for bread and meat. He
+never thought of driving away at once when he had done this, but always
+stopped to make remarks upon his own appearance; till at length, in
+common with the rest of the world, they became wearied to death of the
+subject. The Butcher and Baker tried to put a stop to it by making
+uncivil remarks, and the clown by<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_111" id="pg_111">111</a></span> making rude jests. But the conceit of
+the Hansom-driver still remained.</p>
+
+<p>One day when he was talking to his three acquaintances, the Butcher
+happened to remark on the beauty of the sunset-glow the previous evening.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:402px">
+<a name="illus-045" id="illus-045"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-111.jpg" alt="" title="" width="402" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Some people,&#8221; said the Hansom-driver at once, &#8220;admire the beautiful
+glow of the sunset sky, some the beautiful glow of the healthy<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_112" id="pg_112">112</a></span>
+countenance. By the by, a chap I met yesterday told me my face was
+simply glowing with health.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Especially your nose, my pretty fellow,&#8221; remarked the Clown.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From my brow to my chin, I am, I believe, suffused with the glow of a
+pretty color,&#8221; replied the Hansom-driver. &#8220;Naturally it does not skip my
+nose. And very glad I am it does not; I should not like any feature to
+feel neglected or left out in the cold.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He becomes quite unbearable,&#8221; whispered one lady doll to another.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Quite,&#8221; she replied in the same tone.</p>
+
+<p>The Hansom-driver smiled as he saw them whisper. He did not doubt but
+that they were making some flattering remarks about himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Speak out, ladies,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>But they turned away in silent anger.</p>
+
+<p>Most people would have been annoyed at this behavior. Not so the
+Hansom-driver.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_113" id="pg_113">113</a></span> In his great vanity he completely misread their silence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A compliment about me,&#8221; he laughed. &#8220;Doubtless too great a one to be
+said aloud.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:427px">
+<a name="illus-046" id="illus-046"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-113.jpg" alt="" title="" width="427" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;You needn&#8217;t fancy <i>that</i>,&#8221; said the Butcher rudely. &#8220;You hear a good
+many compliments,<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_114" id="pg_114">114</a></span> I don&#8217;t deny, but they all come from the same
+source&mdash;your own block of a head. When you are absent you get few
+enough, that I know for a positive fact.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not that there is anything surprising in it,&#8221; the Baker said to the
+Hansom-driver in quite as rude a manner as the Butcher. &#8220;I am not yet
+aware that you are a subject for compliments.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;My face is my fortune, sir, he said&#8217;,&#8221; misquoted the Hansom-driver
+with great conceit; &#8220;and a very handsome fortune, too,&#8221; he added.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your face!&#8221; exclaimed the Butcher. &#8220;Why, a sheep&#8217;s face is more to be
+admired than yours.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I beg to differ,&#8221; the Hansom-driver said, shaking his head. &#8220;I&#8217;ve never
+yet seen a really good-looking face amongst a flock of sheep.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So you actually think yours is good-looking?&#8221; sneered the Baker. &#8220;Why,
+I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_115" id="pg_115">115</a></span> make a better-looking one out of a piece of dough.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:439px">
+<a name="illus-047" id="illus-047"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-115.jpg" alt="" title="" width="439" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I defy you to,&#8221; the Hansom-driver replied. &#8220;A face like mine is not
+easily copied. Nor am I the only person of that opinion. All the ladies
+think that I am beautiful. And of course I go by what they think.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_116" id="pg_116">116</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And who,&#8221; he asked, with a bow towards a little group of lady dolls,
+&#8220;who can be better judges of the matter?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you think they consider you good-looking?&#8221; inquired the Clown. &#8220;Get
+along, you dreamer!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do not think it, I know it,&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t,&#8221; said the Butcher and the Baker. &#8220;Put it to the proof. We
+challenge you. Let the ladies vote upon the matter and they will prove
+you mistaken.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very well,&#8221; answered the Hansom-driver. &#8220;The result will be favorable
+to me. Of that I have no doubt.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right! To business,&#8221; said the Butcher. &#8220;What about the ladies&#8217;
+decision as to this fellow&#8217;s claim of beauty?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ay; when shall it be given?&#8221; inquired the Hansom-driver, anxious to
+lose no time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In a fortnight at the earliest,&#8221; said the Clown. &#8220;The making up of
+ladies&#8217; minds, as of Christmas puddings, requires plenty of thought and
+preparation.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_117" id="pg_117">117</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good!&#8221; said the Hansom-driver. Then he got up upon the seat of his
+hansom, whipped up his horse, and drove off.</p>
+
+<p>Now, during the fortnight he was, if possible, more conceited than ever.
+He never ceased making vain speeches respecting his looks, and could
+indeed be induced to speak of nothing else.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have not the slightest fear as to the ladies&#8217; decision,&#8221; he
+boastfully remarked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When I look in the glass I see how impossible it is that they should
+have anything but one opinion. By the by, a most curious little incident
+occurred last night. I was sauntering about my end of the counter, when
+the white Polar Bear walked right up against me. &#8216;Hulloa!&#8217; I said, &#8216;look
+out where you are going.&#8217; &#8216;I beg your pardon, I&#8217;m sure,&#8217; said he; &#8216;It
+was a little mistake. I was trying to find my way home, and catching
+sight of your right eye, mistook it for the Polar Star and guided myself
+by its light.&#8217; &#8216;Very flattering,&#8217;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_118" id="pg_118">118</a></span> I said, &#8216;but I&#8217;d prefer you not to
+tread on my toes.&#8217; Strange, wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Most strange!&#8221; the Butcher jeered. &#8220;The Polar Bear has never been able
+to see clearly since the shopwoman&#8217;s baby poked out both his eyes. Your
+story is a little far-fetched, my good chap.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a surprise!&#8221; laughed the Clown, as the Hansom-driver, unable
+to avoid looking a little silly, turned his head aside and pretended to
+sneeze.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve a piece of news for you,&#8221; said the Baker; &#8220;another surprise. The
+ladies have made up their minds already. Instead of a fortnight they
+have only taken a week to decide. They have but one opinion, and the
+Clown has been instructed to deliver it to you to-morrow morning when
+you come to give your orders. I may warn you that you will find a great
+crowd of Toys waiting to hear it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let come who will,&#8221; vaunted the Hansom-driver. &#8220;<i>I</i> fear no crowd. The
+more<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_119" id="pg_119">119</a></span> Toys to witness my moment of triumph, the better.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And it was in this frame of mind that, on the following morning, he
+drove to the Butcher&#8217;s shop, outside of which a large crowd was
+gathered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; he said with a smile to the Clown who headed the crowd; &#8220;well,
+and what is the ladies&#8217; opinion about my beauty?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The ladies have decided,&#8221; said the Clown, nodding his head and speaking
+very rapidly, &#8220;the ladies have all decided&mdash;mind you, <i>all</i>
+decided&mdash;that you <i>are</i> a hansom man. And so say I.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Hansom-driver climbed down from his seat.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shake hands,&#8221; he said. &#8220;One doesn&#8217;t find a fellow of sense like you
+every day.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Clown shook hands, then turned a somersault and grinned from ear to
+ear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Handsome,&#8221; he said slowly, &#8220;but <i>without</i> the <i>d</i> and the <i>e</i>. Mark
+that, my child. No<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_120" id="pg_120">120</a></span> <i>beauty, but a hansom man</i>. Ho-la! What&#8217;s the time
+of day? Time to go away?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>For the Hansom-driver had mounted to his seat, and, whipping up his
+horse, was driving off as fast as he could.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:436px">
+<a name="illus-048" id="illus-048"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-120.jpg" alt="" title="" width="436" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:403px">
+<a name="ch7" id="ch7"></a><a name="illus-049" id="illus-049"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-121.jpg" alt="" title="" width="403" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_121" id="pg_121">121</a></span>&#8220;That was very funny,&#8221; said the little girl; &#8220;it made me laugh very
+much.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It made all the Toys laugh,&#8221; said the Marionette&mdash;&#8220;except the
+Hansom-driver himself. And, perhaps, he might be excused for not doing
+so.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He <i>was</i> a vain thing,&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He was,&#8221; the Marionette agreed. &#8220;However, we must not be too severe on
+him. He had his good points after all. He was not bad-tempered, for
+example, like poor Claribelle, who at one time was quite unbearable, and
+made herself disliked by everyone. Though in the end, poor creature, she
+became, it is true, an altered character.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_122" id="pg_122">122</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Poor Claribelle!&#8217; Who was she?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A young lady doll whose bad temper, unfortunately for her, brought her
+great sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should like to hear about her,&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette mused a moment. &#8220;I should not do wrong to tell
+you,&#8221; she remarked. &#8220;The story of this poor, proud creature may perhaps
+serve as a lesson and warning to some other haughty and fanciful young
+lady. Yes, you shall hear to-morrow evening of Claribelle.&#8221; And so the
+next evening, in a grave voice that befitted the tale, she told the
+story of</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;<span class="smcap">Proud Claribelle.</span>&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:406px">
+<a name="illus-050" id="illus-050"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-123.jpg" alt="" title="" width="406" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_123" id="pg_123">123</a></span>Claribelle was a very haughty doll. She was very beautiful, with great
+brown eyes and a mass of dark hair that fell to her waist. She had fine
+clothes, too; a pink silk dress, a large straw hat trimmed with lace and
+pink roses, pink silk stockings and bronze shoes, and round her neck a
+string of pearls, which were the envy of every lady doll in the
+toy-shop.</p>
+
+<p>She held her head very high indeed, and would not speak to this doll
+because it was &#8220;frumpish,&#8221; or that doll because it was not in the same
+set as herself. The China Doll she really could not be on intimate terms
+with, because she had a crack across her cheek. Fancy being seen walking
+with a cracky person!<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_124" id="pg_124">124</a></span> Also, she must really decline being introduced to
+the Farthing Doll. A very good, worthy person, no doubt, but really she
+and a doll worth a farthing could not possibly have many tastes in
+common.</p>
+
+<p>As to the Rag Doll, she was a pushing person. At a tea-party at which
+they had both been present, she had asked Claribelle if she didn&#8217;t think
+that skirts were fuller. To think of discussing clothes with a creature
+of rags! The idea was really too comical!</p>
+
+<p>It was thus, and in this proud spirit, that Claribelle talked about the
+other and more modest Toys. There were, indeed, very few that she would
+take the slightest notice of. As a matter of fact, when she walked down
+the counter she held her nose so much in the air that it was very rarely
+she saw anyone. She did not care in the least whether she trod on other
+people&#8217;s toes or not.</p>
+
+<p>From this you will easily understand that she was a Toy who gained more
+admiration<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_125" id="pg_125">125</a></span> than love. There was, however, one who was truly devoted to
+Claribelle. This was the Driver of the Wagon, who was always of the
+opinion that beneath her haughty manner lay a kind heart. They were
+engaged to be married, and with true affection he often spoke to her
+about her haughty manner to the other Toys.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:415px">
+<a name="illus-051" id="illus-051"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-125.jpg" alt="" title="" width="415" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_126" id="pg_126">126</a></span>On such occasions Claribelle tossed her head and flew into a passion,
+often sulking for hours afterwards. Yet, although she so sorely tried
+the Driver&#8217;s patience, he continued to love her. And when all other
+means had failed he would often sing her back to good temper, for he had
+a beautiful tenor voice.</p>
+
+<p>He was a little proud of his voice, and used to practise every night,
+partly because he loved music, also because he delighted to show his
+devotion to Claribelle by singing her little love-songs in a
+well-trained manner.</p>
+
+<p>He was of a kindly, genial nature, so that you would have thought it was
+hardly possible to quarrel with him. But Claribelle&#8217;s pride not seldom
+caused a dispute between them, and she would often start a heated
+argument without any reason.</p>
+
+<p>It was thus one day that a quarrel arose which ended in the most serious
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>They were out driving in the Wagon, when the Driver, remembering he owed
+a call<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_127" id="pg_127">127</a></span> on the Farthing Doll, proposed that he and Claribelle should go
+thither.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; she exclaimed haughtily. &#8220;Pay a call on that Farthing creature!
+<i>Certainly</i> not!&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:419px">
+<a name="illus-052" id="illus-052"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-127.jpg" alt="" title="" width="419" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I, at least, must go, sooner or later,&#8221; the Driver replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why?&#8221; she asked much displeased.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_128" id="pg_128">128</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Because did I not call,&#8221; answered he kindly but firmly, &#8220;I should be
+lacking in courtesy to a lady who has never shown me anything but the
+utmost civility. However, since you do not wish it, I will not go
+to-day.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do not wish you to go at all,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But I see it is quite
+sufficient for me to say that I do not desire you to do a thing, for you
+to do it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And after this she sulked and said she did not love him.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this the Driver bethought him a new song he had just learnt, and he
+determined to sing it in the hope of winning her back to good temper. So
+he began:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;&#8216;Oh, down in Alabama, before I was set free,<br />
+I loved a dark-eyed, yaller girl,<br />
+And thought&mdash;&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But he got no further, for here Claribelle interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Does that apply to <i>me</i>?&#8221; she said with flashing eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_129" id="pg_129">129</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, you <i>have</i> dark eyes, you know,&#8221; he said pleasantly, hoping to
+make her smile. &#8220;Beautiful dark eyes, too.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Stop the wagon!&#8221; she said furiously. &#8220;I will not be so insulted. Dark
+eyes, yes; but yaller! yaller! yaller!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Allow me to explain. I only&mdash;&#8221; began the Driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>Yaller</i>, indeed! Stop the Wagon!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should like to say&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A dark-eyed, <i>yaller</i> girl! Stop the Wagon,&mdash;and consider our
+engagement at an end.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>Will</i> you let me&mdash;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But Claribelle shook her head furiously, and in her rage tried to jump
+out of the Wagon. So the Driver, fearing she would break her neck, did
+as she requested and pulled up his horse, when she immediately alighted.
+Then she swept away, flouncing her pink silk dress, and with her head in
+the air.</p>
+
+<p>The Driver called later and tried to pacify her, but she would not
+listen. She only turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_130" id="pg_130">130</a></span> her back upon him&mdash;which was a very rude thing
+to do&mdash;and persisted in saying that their engagement was at an end.</p>
+
+<p>So the Wagoner whipped up his horse and went away sad and sorry. He
+looked, indeed, so sad that the haughty Claribelle nearly repented of
+her pride and was just about to call him back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But he&#8217;ll return to-morrow,&#8221; she said to herself, &#8220;and he must be
+taught not to make false remarks about my complexion. Fancy calling me
+&#8216;yaller!&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The next day he came as she expected.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do I still look yaller?&#8221; Claribelle asked scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let bygones be bygones,&#8221; said he. &#8220;Besides, I never called you yaller.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Our engagement is ended,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Claribelle,&#8221; he said kindly but firmly, &#8220;listen to what I say. If you
+do not tame your proud temper, you will one day bring sorrow upon
+yourself.&#8221; Then he left, wounded and displeased.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_131" id="pg_131">131</a></span></p>
+
+<p>
+<a name="illus-053" id="illus-053"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-131a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-131b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />The next day he came again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I may be going away,&#8221; he said, &#8220;to the other side of the shop, to the
+opposite counter.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do I still look yaller?&#8221; Claribelle asked, tossing her head.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_132" id="pg_132">132</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aren&#8217;t you sorry I am going?&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t time to think of trifles,&#8221; she said haughtily.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Cruel Claribelle,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I shall not send you a letter, not even a
+post-card.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Letters are dull,&#8221; she said coldly, &#8220;and post-cards are vulgar.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You will repent of this some day,&#8221; he replied. And he turned and went
+away in anger.</p>
+
+<p>On the morrow he came once more.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have come to say good-bye,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh!&#8221; she replied; but not a word more.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aren&#8217;t you sorry?&#8221; he asked again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; she replied, &#8220;because the Farthing Doll put her foot on my dress
+this morning in passing me, and tore it. She is a clumsy thing.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are trying my patience too far,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Proud Claribelle,
+beware! Beware, proud Claribelle!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You confirm me in my resolution,&#8221; said<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_133" id="pg_133">133</a></span> she. &#8220;I will never marry a Toy
+who gives way to his temper over nothing. Once for all, our engagement
+is at an end.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:334px">
+<a name="illus-054" id="illus-054"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-133.jpg" alt="" title="" width="334" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_134" id="pg_134">134</a></span>&#8220;I cannot believe that,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Do you really mean it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Certainly,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So be it,&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>Then he got up from his chair with dignity, made a low bow, mounted his
+Wagon, and drove away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I almost wish I had not said that,&#8221; thought the haughty Beauty
+uneasily. &#8220;I never meant him to go away so soon. If he had stayed I
+should, perhaps, have altered my mind. I will tell him so when he comes
+to-morrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But next day he did not come. Then a few tears fell from Claribelle&#8217;s
+haughty eyes. Nor did he come on the next, and then she shed more. Nor
+on the following day; nor the day after that, nor the day after
+<i>that</i>,&mdash;nor ever again! And each day poor Claribelle wept more and
+more, till it was sad to see her.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:425px">
+<a name="illus-055" id="illus-055"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-135.jpg" alt="" title="" width="425" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>At last she heard the Wagoner had left the toy-shop altogether, and she
+knew she<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_136" id="pg_136">136</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> should never see him again. And she cried, and cried, and
+cried, till she cried away every bit of pride in her nature! Indeed,
+from being the proudest Toy in the shop she became the meekest and
+gentlest&mdash;kind and thoughtful to all.</p>
+
+<p>So the other Toys would often remark one to the other with surprise and
+pleasure:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lo! how poor Claribelle hath been chastened by sorrow!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Poor, <i>poor</i> Claribelle! I <i>am</i> sorry for her!&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She had, indeed, a severe lesson,&#8221; answered the little Marionette.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And did the Wagoner ever come back?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never, never. He loved, but drove away.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How sad!&#8221; sighed the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sad, indeed,&#8221; said the Marionette. &#8220;Well, as I always say, let all
+young ladies take warning by the story of Proud Claribelle, and then it
+will not have been told in vain.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_137" id="pg_137">137</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then the little girl said:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Next time you tell me a story I should like it to be happy all through.
+Happy, you know, from beginning to end.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette thought a few moments, then shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t remember such a story,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I think there must be very
+few.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry for that,&#8221; answered the little girl, disappointed. &#8220;I wanted
+very much to hear one.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We must take things as they are,&#8221; said the little lady cheerfully. &#8220;If
+I don&#8217;t know many stories that are happy all the way through, I know
+plenty that are so at the beginning, or the middle, or the end; or even
+more than that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Which do you like best?&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, stories with a happy ending! You can forget that the beginning or
+middle has been sad, and you can go away smiling.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_138" id="pg_138">138</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then tell me to-morrow a story that ends happily.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you will,&#8221; said the little Marionette.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:323px">
+<a name="illus-056" id="illus-056"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-138.jpg" alt="" title="" width="323" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p>
+<a name="ch8" id="ch8"></a><a name="illus-057" id="illus-057"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-139a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" style="margin-right:100%" />
+<img src="images/illus-139b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_139" id="pg_139">139</a></span>On the morrow, when the two met as usual, the Marionette said to the
+little girl:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good evening. I have thought of a story that will please you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I suppose it ends most happily, doesn&#8217;t it?&#8221; asked Molly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Quite right,&#8221; she replied. &#8220;I am going to tell you one that ends as
+happily as you could wish it to. You will, I am sure, be quite satisfied
+with the conclusion of:</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;&#8216;<span class="smcap">The Grocer and the Farthing Doll</span>&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:400px">
+<a name="illus-058" id="illus-058"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-140.jpg" alt="" title="" width="400" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_140" id="pg_140">140</a></span>Never was there a love affair more perplexing than the love affair of
+the Grocer and the Farthing Doll. It puzzled the whole toy-shop; it even
+puzzled the two lovers themselves.</p>
+
+<p>The affair was rather difficult to understand, but I will try to explain
+it to you as simply as I can.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone knew that the Grocer and the Farthing Doll loved each other;
+the Grocer knew he loved the Farthing Doll, but he did not know that she
+loved him; the Farthing<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_141" id="pg_141">141</a></span> Doll knew that she loved the Grocer, but she
+didn&#8217;t know if he loved her.</p>
+
+<p>So everything was at a stand-still, and none of the other dolls knew how
+to bring the matter to a happy end. No one quite liked to interfere. And
+for these reasons: The Grocer was very proud and would take no advice,
+whilst the Farthing Doll was so sensitive that a single wrong word might
+cause her a serious illness. Again, the Grocer wouldn&#8217;t ask the Farthing
+Doll to marry him because, being a proud Toy, he feared the humiliation
+of her saying &#8220;No.&#8221; She, on her part, would not say much to help him,
+lest it should look as if she were forward.</p>
+
+<p>It was thus that matters stood, when, walking along the counter one day,
+the Farthing Doll met the Grocer sauntering by with a sad face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well!&#8221; she exclaimed, with a start of surprise. &#8220;Fancy seeing you
+here!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My shop is close by,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you remember?&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_142" id="pg_142">142</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To be sure,&#8221; she said. &#8220;How odd of me to forget.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m very pleased to see you,&#8221; said the Grocer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am glad of that, for I have every wish to please you,&#8221; said the
+Farthing Doll.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is that satisfactory?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It ought to be,&#8221; she replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; the Grocer said. &#8220;You may wish to please, without
+loving. For instance, you may try to please a turkey by giving him the
+best of grain. But that is not because you love him. It is merely
+because you wish to fatten him well for your Christmas dinner.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good-morning!&#8221; said the Farthing Doll coldly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Stay!&#8221; the Grocer cried. &#8220;I have an idea. We appear to have some
+difficulty in finding out the Truth. Let us go and hunt for it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where is it to be found?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At the bottom of a Well, so I&#8217;ve heard.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_143" id="pg_143">143</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I suppose the first thing is to find the Well.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:384px">
+<a name="illus-059" id="illus-059"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-143.jpg" alt="" title="" width="384" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Exactly so,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Come, let us start.&#8221; So they walked away hand in
+hand. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_144" id="pg_144">144</a></span> hunted all up and down the counter, and asked directions of
+many dolls. But never a Well could they find.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;See!&#8221; exclaimed the Farthing Doll at last; &#8220;here&#8217;s a square thing that
+looks something like a Well. Go, open it and look down.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What may be inside, though?&#8221; he said cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Truth, Truth, you silly thing!&#8221; she said impatiently. &#8220;Go!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So he went and opened the lid.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not a Well at all. It was merely the abode of
+Jack-in-the-box, and when the Grocer looked in Jack jumped out. He
+jumped up so suddenly that he knocked the Grocer flat on his back.</p>
+
+<p>The poor fellow got up and rubbed his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One gets very hard blows sometimes in the search for Truth,&#8221; he said
+ruefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You shouldn&#8217;t be in such a hurry,&#8221; remarked Jack-in-the-box. &#8220;Take
+things more calmly, and ask the Policeman. Kindly shut<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_145" id="pg_145">145</a></span> up the lid of my
+box. I can&#8217;t very well manage it myself, I&#8217;m so springy. Close it
+firmly, please, or I shall be jumping out again, and I don&#8217;t want to do
+that. I wish to stay indoors to-day as much as possible, for I have a
+heavy cold in my head and am sneezing every two minutes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>That</i> didn&#8217;t do much good,&#8221; said the Grocer when he had done as he was
+asked, and closed the lid of Jack&#8217;s box.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let us find the Policeman,&#8221; she said, holding out her hand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;An excellent idea,&#8221; he replied as he took it. &#8220;There he is, just
+outside that dolls&#8217; house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Constable,&#8221; he said, &#8220;can you direct us to the Well with Truth at the
+bottom?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;First to the right, second to the left, and keep on till you come to
+it,&#8221; the policeman answered, without removing his eyes from the kitchen
+window.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not that I ever heard tell of any such<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_146" id="pg_146">146</a></span> Well,&#8221; he added, putting his
+head inside and speaking to the Little China Doll within.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then you&#8217;re a deceiver,&#8221; she said severely, as she handed him a joint
+of beef tightly gummed on to a wooden platter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re sure to arrive at anything if you keep on till you get it,&#8221; he
+answered carelessly. &#8220;So it doesn&#8217;t really matter if you take the first
+to the right and the second to the left, or the second to the right and
+the first to the left. You are bound to get there in time.... This beef
+is gummed so tightly to the dish that it is a job to get it off....&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime the Grocer and the Farthing Doll were wandering about
+trying to find the Well. They sought for a long time, but they could not
+see a sign of it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll never find it,&#8221; she said in despair. &#8220;And I am growing so tired I
+am beginning to lose all my good looks. All the crimson is wearing off
+my cheeks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:456px">
+<a name="illus-060" id="illus-060"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-147.jpg" alt="" title="" width="456" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come, come, my dear, we won&#8217;t give up<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_148" id="pg_148">148</a></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> yet,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Console
+yourself; I believe many others have been in the same plight before us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t mind if they have,&#8221; she said, tired and impatient.</p>
+
+<p>Now the Grocer was a man of quick intellect. His thoughts were not
+solely given to the selling of raisins, currants, flour, rice and other
+groceries. As the Farthing Doll spoke, a very clever idea came into his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wait!&#8221; he said thoughtfully. &#8220;Your last remark has given me a new idea.
+You mentioned the word <i>mind</i>! Mind,&mdash;mind,&mdash;mind. Yes,&mdash;now why should
+we not give up seeking for truth in a Well, and try to find it in our
+minds?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have we got them?&#8221; she asked doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think so,&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then where are they kept?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He pondered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In our heads, I imagine,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>And tapping his forehead to help out his thought he remarked.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_149" id="pg_149">149</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let us begin. Here is my first question: Do you approve of marriages
+with Grocers?&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:421px">
+<a name="illus-061" id="illus-061"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-149.jpg" alt="" title="" width="421" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Before I answer,&#8221; said the Farthing Doll cautiously, &#8220;I should like to
+hear if you approve<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_150" id="pg_150">150</a></span> of marriages with Farthing Dolls? Some people
+don&#8217;t.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ladies first. It is your place to reply to me before I reply to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I prefer the last word; you may have the first.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is all very well to expect me to answer you, but supposing <i>I</i> said
+&#8216;Yes&#8217; and <i>you</i> said &#8216;No,&#8217; fancy how my pride would suffer!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But supposing I said &#8216;Yes&#8217; and you said &#8216;No,&#8217; picture to yourself what
+my feelings would be. I should not recover from the blow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We have got ourselves into a difficult position,&#8221; said the Grocer. &#8220;Let
+us start afresh. If I wrote you a letter, how would you answer it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As I thought best,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But tell me how would you write it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As I thought fit,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;What would your &#8216;best&#8217; be?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That would depend on your &#8216;fit&#8217;,&#8221; she answered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_151" id="pg_151">151</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Grocer sighed and knit his brows.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It seems very difficult to come to an understanding with you,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>And then they were both silent for a long while. As a matter of fact,
+this was because they were both so depressed that they could think of
+nothing further to say.</p>
+
+<p>The Farthing Doll was the first to break the silence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps,&#8221; she said sadly, &#8220;we had better start looking for that Well
+again. The Policeman told us that if we kept on we should come to it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am not sure that I trust the Policeman,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;It struck me
+that he wished, unobserved, to enjoy some food from the dolls&#8217; house
+kitchen. He wanted to get rid of us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is to be done then?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>The Grocer thought for a long while. Then he spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have another idea,&#8221; he remarked. &#8220;Let<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_152" id="pg_152">152</a></span> us look for Truth not in the
+Well, nor in our Minds, but in our Hearts. Do you agree?&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:370px">
+<a name="illus-062" id="illus-062"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-152.jpg" alt="" title="" width="370" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But how shall we set about it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let our Hearts speak,&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>After this they were silent for a moment or<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_153" id="pg_153">153</a></span> two. Then the Grocer and
+the Farthing Doll clasped each other&#8217;s hands and spoke at the same
+moment.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;My Heart&#8217;s Dearest, I love you,&#8221; said he.<br />
+&#8220;You are my Best Beloved,&#8221; said she.</p>
+
+<p>So the matter ended happily, to their own joy and to the joy of the
+whole toy-shop.</p>
+
+<p>And these two lovers found Truth at last: not in the bottom of a Well,
+but in the depths of their own Hearts.</p>
+
+<p>And they married and were happy ever after.</p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p>&#8220;That was a nice ending,&#8221; remarked the little girl. &#8220;I like it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes; very satisfactory, wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221; said the little lady.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How will the next story end, happily or sadly?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t thought of it yet. You shall know to-morrow.&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_154" id="pg_154">154</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think I must go now,&#8221; said the little girl. &#8220;I promised my little
+cousin to have a game of nine-pins with her before bed-time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wait,&#8221; said the Marionette. &#8220;I have something to tell you. I think
+to-morrow evening will be the last time I shall be able to speak with
+you. My power of talking to a Mortal is going; it will not last after
+our next meeting.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I <i>am</i> sorry!&#8221; exclaimed the little girl. &#8220;I do not leave till two
+days after to-morrow, and I thought that you would be able to go on
+telling me stories up to the very last evening.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be impossible,&#8221; said she.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And after to-morrow we shall not be able to talk to each other any
+more,&#8221; exclaimed the little girl. &#8220;Oh, how sad!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, even if we cannot talk we can remain good friends. The
+deepest friendship is often the quietest.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then we can be very great friends indeed,&#8221; said the little girl with
+much affection. &#8220;I am so glad, dear!&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_155" id="pg_155">155</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am going out to-morrow afternoon to see the pantomime, but I shall
+come here as early as I can,&#8221; she added as she went away. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you be
+late.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I won&#8217;t,&#8221; answered the Marionette.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Remember!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;ll remember.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>How</i> will you remember?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll tie a knot in my hair, so that when I brush it I shall feel that
+there is something to recollect.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a good idea,&#8221; said the little girl, and ran away in content.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:317px">
+<a name="illus-063" id="illus-063"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-155.jpg" alt="" title="" width="317" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:403px">
+<a name="ch9" id="ch9"></a><a name="illus-064" id="illus-064"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-156.jpg" alt="" title="" width="403" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_156" id="pg_156">156</a></span>The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their
+meeting-place by the Noah&#8217;s Ark.</p>
+
+<p>But the little Marionette was not to be found.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is too bad of her!&#8221; said the little girl. &#8220;Our last time! And
+after she has promised not to be late!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Tears rose to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am very much disappointed,&#8221; said she as she walked up and down the
+shop looking for her friend.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_157" id="pg_157">157</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shall never find her.... Why, <i>there</i> she is!&#8221; she exclaimed
+suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>And she hurried up to the little Marionette, who, half-concealed by a
+big Drum, lay on the ground beside a Puzzle.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are not very kind,&#8221; remarked the little girl reproachfully. &#8220;I
+asked you to be early, and you never came at all.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am very sorry,&#8221; answered the little Marionette in a tired voice.</p>
+
+<p>Then she sat up, and the little girl saw with much sorrow and surprise
+that she was quite disfigured. Her nose was broken, her eyes were
+crooked, and her face was quite knocked about. All the little girl&#8217;s
+annoyance vanished, and her heart was full of pity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you poor dear little dolly!&#8221; she cried; &#8220;what <i>has</i> happened to
+you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have hurt myself,&#8221; was the answer. &#8220;I tripped up over this Puzzle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am sorry. Are you very badly hurt?&#8221; asked her little friend with
+pity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_158" id="pg_158">158</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind me. I promised to tell you one more story, and I shall do
+so,&#8221; answered the little Marionette.</p>
+
+<p>She spoke very sadly, and the little girl picked her up and kissed her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Would you not like to put off telling me a story to-day?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No. I should like to do so,&#8221; the Marionette answered, &#8220;for it is our
+last meeting. Put me back on the counter and I will tell it to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall I put you back where I found you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, take me back to our old place. I am tired of this Puzzle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So the little girl took her to the Noah&#8217;s Ark, and placed her with her
+back to it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is your story about, dear?&#8221; the little girl asked, drawing her
+chair close to the counter, and bending her head close to the little
+Marionette, the better to hear her small voice&mdash;weaker and more tiny
+that evening than usual.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_159" id="pg_159">159</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;About a little Marionette like myself, whose best and dearest friend
+left her and thought she didn&#8217;t mind. And all the while she minded so
+very much! More than she knew how to say!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Poor little Marionette!&#8221; said Molly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It <i>was</i> sad, for it was only a mistake, wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221; said the little
+Marionette lady with a sigh. &#8220;But you shall hear all about it. Listen
+whilst I tell you the story of:</p>
+
+<p class="center">&#8220;&#8216;<span class="smcap">The Last Performance.</span>&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:410px">
+<a name="illus-065" id="illus-065"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-160.jpg" alt="" title="" width="410" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_160" id="pg_160">160</a></span>The two little Marionette dolls had just finished their dance before an
+admiring throng of Toys, and the curtain had, that moment, fallen upon
+their last performance.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So now,&#8221; sighed the little lady Marionette to her partner; &#8220;so now the
+play is over. We shall never act together again. I heard the woman who
+owned the shop say that she was going to separate us, and sell us as
+ordinary Toys. She said there was so little demand<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_161" id="pg_161">161</a></span> for Marionettes
+nowadays.... But you heard that as well as I, didn&#8217;t you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I heard,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;And more, too. She said she was going to
+send me away with some other Toys to a Christmas-tree. So that it will
+be good-bye for a long while.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little lady Marionette patted the paniers of her pretty brocade
+dress and remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t mind that, do you?&#8221; her partner said. &#8220;I thought you
+wouldn&#8217;t.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do mind,&#8221; she answered at last.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes; very much I am sure,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You hurt my feelings,&#8221; she replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t do that for the whole world&mdash;not for ten worlds,&#8221; he
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you smile!&#8221; he said. &#8220;Then you do not mind very much after all.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I smile because it makes me happy to hear you speak kindly to me
+again,&#8221; she answered.</p>
+
+<p>But her answer did not please him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_162" id="pg_162">162</a></span></p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You smile at everything,&#8221; he said &#8220;Nothing troubles you much.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It troubles me that you should be going away; away from me into the
+wide world,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will trouble you for half an hour, not longer,&#8221; said he. &#8220;Only half
+an hour, that&#8217;s all. I must leave you now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t,&#8221; said she. &#8220;<i>Stay.</i>&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t,&#8221; said he. &#8220;Good-bye.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And he went straight away without another word.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He does not know how dear he is to my heart or he would not leave me
+so,&#8221; said the little Marionette to herself after he had left.</p>
+
+<p>Then she threw herself down on the counter and cried as if her heart
+were breaking. She threw herself down so violently that she broke her
+nose and knocked her eyes awry. But she was too miserable to care. She
+lay still and cried on.</p>
+
+<p>At last a friend of hers came along&mdash;a friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_163" id="pg_163">163</a></span> who was a Doll of common
+sense and practical ways.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is all this about?&#8221; she asked. &#8220;Why are you crying?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Because half an hour may last for so long,&#8221; wept the little Marionette.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are talking nonsense,&#8221; she replied contemptuously. &#8220;Everybody knows
+that half an hour can only last thirty minutes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not always. It may sometimes last a whole year&mdash;many years.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tut, tut!&#8221; replied the common-sense Doll; &#8220;you have no reasoning power.
+That I can see by your face. Still, if I can help you I will. What would
+you have me do?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Give me back my dream,&#8221; said the Marionette. Then she covered her face
+with her hands and gave a great sigh.</p>
+
+<p>The common-sense Doll looked even more practical than before.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is it, is it?&#8221; she said. &#8220;A morbid longing after a Dream. I begin
+to understand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_164" id="pg_164">164</a></span> Nerves,&mdash;indigestion,&mdash;too many sweet things,&mdash;I fear I
+cannot, then, be of much assistance. However, the General of the Tin
+Soldiers has a wonderful turn for doctoring, quite a natural gift. I
+will send him to you. He may be able to do you some good.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So she went on her way, and the little Marionette was once more alone
+with her sorrow and regret.</p>
+
+<p>By and by, however, the General of the Tin Soldiers trotted up on his
+handsome black charger, and reined in before her.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:393px">
+<a name="illus-066" id="illus-066"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-165.jpg" alt="" title="" width="393" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_165" id="pg_165">165</a></span>&#8220;My dear little lady,&#8221; he said kindly, if pompously, &#8220;in what pitiful
+condition do I find you? Come, come, tell an old soldier, who has been
+through much himself, all about it.&#8221; And, as she did not at once answer:
+&#8220;Well,&#8221; he continued good-naturedly, &#8220;never mind. Do not trouble to
+speak, I will prescribe for you. I recognize your complaint, and have
+already treated with much success a large number of my Tin Soldiers
+suffering in<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_166" id="pg_166">166</a></span> the same way. This, then, is my prescription for your
+malady: plenty of fresh air; exercise in moderation; early hours and
+plain diet. But don&#8217;t let your diet become monotonous. For example, a
+rice pudding one day, sago the next, tapioca the third. And a little
+gentle amusement every now and then to keep up your spirits; Christy
+Minstrels; a pleasant, little musical gathering of friends; and so on.
+Finally, a powerful tonic to put a little more color into those poor
+little cheeks. Kindly permit me to feel your pulse.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And so saying the General bent from his saddle and courteously took the
+little Marionette&#8217;s hand. Then, looking much alarmed, &#8220;<i>Galloping,
+galloping!</i>&#8221; he exclaimed, &#8220;I must do likewise, and order you a tonic at
+the nearest chemist&#8217;s without delay.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And putting spurs into his horse he rode away hurriedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All that won&#8217;t do me any good,&#8221; said the little Marionette aloud. &#8220;I
+don&#8217;t want that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:454px">
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_167" id="pg_167">167</a></span>
+<a name="illus-067" id="illus-067"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-167.jpg" alt="" title="" width="454" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_168" id="pg_168">168</a></span>&#8220;What do I want?&#8221; she sighed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A jest, my good creature,&#8221; said a voice near her, and looking up she
+saw the Clown with his hands in his pockets dancing a double-shuffle in
+front of her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A jest,&#8221; he repeated. Then as he danced and shook the bells on his cap,
+he chanted in time to the movement of his feet&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;Broken nose and crooked eyes,<br />
+Broken heart and mournful sighs,&mdash;<br />
+Life&#8217;s a jest for a&#8217; that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, it isn&#8217;t; not to me,&#8221; answered the little Marionette very sadly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be, by and by,&#8221; he said cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No; not to me,&#8221; she repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The Clown looked at her with sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall I tell you a good story?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;Quite one of my best?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are very kind,&#8221; said the little Marionette. &#8220;I think, though, I
+would rather hear it another time, if you do not mind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not at all,&#8221; answered the Clown as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_169" id="pg_169">169</a></span> danced away, jingling his bells
+as he went. &#8220;<i>I</i> don&#8217;t mind, I&#8217;m not easily hurt. But take my advice, if
+the situation is not a jest in itself make a jest dove-tail into the
+situation. Good-bye, my little friend. Cheer up.&#8221;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:425px">
+<a name="illus-068" id="illus-068"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-169.jpg" alt="" title="" width="425" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_170" id="pg_170">170</a></span>&#8220;Cheer up!&#8221; repeated the little lady. &#8220;But it is not easy. I shall have
+to wait until the half-hour is over before I can do that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After this she lay on the counter quietly, without taking notice of
+anything or anyone. And the other Toys, seeing she wished to be left to
+herself, did not disturb her.</p>
+
+<p>By and by, the time when the Toys are able to talk and move about passed
+by, and they all became still once more: just as you are accustomed to
+see them. And people passed in and out, and to and fro, but the little
+lady Marionette lay unobserved&mdash;alone and unhappy in her corner of the
+counter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The half-hour is very long,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Will it ever end? My heart is
+very heavy....&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette made a long pause.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Go on, if you please,&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>But the little lady remained silent.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;<i>Do</i> go on,&#8221; repeated her small friend.</p>
+
+<p>Yet she never answered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_171" id="pg_171">171</a></span></p>
+
+<p><img src="images/illus-171a.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<img src="images/illus-171b.jpg" class="curveleft" alt="" />
+<a name="illus-069" id="illus-069"></a>
+&#8220;What is the matter with you?&#8221; asked the little girl impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>She looked closely at the Marionette as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>Why, were those tears she saw, or was it only the light<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_172" id="pg_172">172</a></span> shining upon
+the little lady&#8217;s glass eyes? Glass eyes shine very easily, it is true.
+Still, supposing she <i>were</i> crying and wanted to be comforted? She would
+ask her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You are not crying, dear, are you?&#8221; said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>The little Marionette gave a great sigh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps,&#8221; she replied gently.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is it about?&#8221; asked the little girl with much sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>Then all at once she understood.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe,&#8221; she exclaimed, &#8220;you have been telling me a story about
+yourself! It all happened to you to-day, while I was away, didn&#8217;t it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The little lady rubbed two tiny wax hands across her two glass eyes.
+&#8220;You have guessed rightly,&#8221; she said in a little faltering voice.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I am sorry!&#8221; said her little friend with great sympathy. &#8220;I have
+been out all the afternoon, so I never heard Auntie say she was going to
+send you and your partner away from each other. And fancy his going away
+and<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_173" id="pg_173">173</a></span> leaving you as he did! You poor little thing, how I <i>wish</i> I could
+do something to make you happier!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Molly thought a moment. &#8220;I know!&#8221; she exclaimed; &#8220;you shall belong to
+me, my dear. I shall ask Auntie to give you to me, and you shall be my
+very own dolly!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come with me, darling,&#8221; she continued, hugging the little Marionette
+tightly, &#8220;and I will sing you to sleep in Auntie&#8217;s big rocking-chair. I
+will make up a nice song all by myself and all about you. You will see
+then how much I love you, and you won&#8217;t cry any more. When you wake up
+you will feel happier again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And going into the room at the back of the shop, she drew a
+rocking-chair near the cheerful blaze of the bright fire and sat down,
+still clasping the little Marionette in her arms.</p>
+
+<p>At first she rocked to and fro silently, and with a thoughtful
+expression. Presently she gave a sudden jerk to the rocking-chair, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_174" id="pg_174">174</a></span>
+sung in a shrill sweet voice, and with some energy&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;Lulla<i>by</i>, little dolly, lulla<i>by</i>, lulla<i>by</i>,<br />
+Your poor nose is broken, your eyes are awry,<br />
+But I&#8217;ll love you and kiss you, so you must just try<br />
+Not to cry, little dolly,&mdash;lulla<i>by</i>, lulla<i>by</i>.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lullaby,&#8221; she said more gently, and kissed her fondly. Then she began
+afresh, but more softly and soothingly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left:2em">
+&#8220;Lulla<i>by</i>, little dolly, lulla<i>by</i>, lulla<i>by</i>,<br />
+You know you are ugly and rather a guy,<br />
+But my arms are around you, so why should you sigh?<br />
+Just you sleep, little dolly,&mdash;lulla<i>by</i>, lulla<i>by</i>.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lullaby,&#8221; she whispered, and kissed her again very tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is not poetry, only rhyme, and not very flattering rhyme either,&#8221;
+murmured the little Marionette. &#8220;But if it is not poetry it is love....
+And it brings comfort to my sore heart, which the reasoning, and the
+doctoring, and the jesting could not do....&#8221;<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_175" id="pg_175">175</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:444px">
+<a name="illus-070" id="illus-070"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-175.jpg" alt="" title="" width="444" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>She whispered something more, but very weakly. Her power of talking to a
+Mortal<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_176" id="pg_176">176</a></span> had all but left her, and the child had to put her head quite
+close to the little lady so as to be able to catch what she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let me always stay with you,&#8221; the little Marionette just managed to
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Always, dear,&#8221; said her little friend.</p>
+
+<p>And then the little lady fell asleep quite happily. That at least was
+what the little girl thought. And if <i>she</i> thought so <i>we</i> might as well
+think the same.</p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p>&#8220;You want me to give you that little Marionette?&#8221; said the owner of the
+toy-shop to the little girl that same evening. &#8220;Very well, Molly, you
+shall have her.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, thank you, Auntie!&#8221; replied her little niece with much gratitude.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There is not very much to thank me for,&#8221; remarked her aunt. &#8220;She is not
+worth anything now. I can&#8217;t imagine,&#8221; she added, &#8220;how it is that she has
+got so knocked about.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Now the little girl had no need to imagine<span class="pagenum"><a name="pg_177" id="pg_177">177</a></span> it, for she knew. But she
+kept her knowledge to herself, fearing that if she told her Aunt what
+had happened she would be laughed at as a fanciful child.</p>
+
+<p>But we should not have laughed at her,&mdash;should we? There would have been
+no fancy at out the matter for us. For <i>we</i> know that the Toy World is a
+very real World indeed!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width:426px">
+<a name="illus-071" id="illus-071"></a>
+<img src="images/illus-177.jpg" alt="" title="" width="426" /><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<div style="font-size:0.7071em">
+
+<p class="center">ALTEMUS&#8217; NEW ILLUSTRATED<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Young People&#8217;s Library</span></p>
+
+<p>A new series of choice literature for children, selected from the best
+and most popular works. Handsomely printed on fine paper from large
+type, with numerous colored illustrations and black and white
+engravings, by the most famous artists, making the handsomest and most
+attractive series of juvenile classics before the public.</p>
+
+<p>Fine English cloth, handsome new original designs, 40 cents each.</p>
+
+<p>THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 70 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ALICE&#8217;S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. 42 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>BUNYAN&#8217;S PILGRIM&#8217;S PROGRESS. 46 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>A CHILD&#8217;S STORY OF THE BIBLE. 72 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>A CHILD&#8217;S LIFE OF CHRIST. 49 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>&AElig;SOP&#8217;S FABLES. 62 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE IN AFRICA. 80 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>GULLIVER&#8217;S TRAVELS. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MOTHER GOOSE&#8217;S RHYMES, JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES. 234 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>THE STORY OF THE FROZEN SEAS. 70 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>WOOD&#8217;S NATURAL HISTORY. 80 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ARABIAN NIGHTS&#8217; ENTERTAINMENTS. 130 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ANDERSEN&#8217;S FAIRY TALES. 75 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>GRIMM&#8217;S FAIRY TALES. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>FLOWER FABLES. By Louisa M. Alcott. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>AUNT MARTHA&#8217;S CORNER CUPBOARD. By Mary and Elizabeth Kirby. 54
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>WATER BABIES. By Charles Kingsley. 84 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>UNCLE TOM&#8217;S CABIN. 90 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb. 65 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND. 70 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE. 18 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MIXED PICKLES. 31 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>LITTLE LAME PRINCE. By Miss Mulock. 24 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>THE SLEEPY KING. 77 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>RIP VAN WINKLE. By Washington Irving. 46 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>A CHILD&#8217;S GARDEN OF VERSES. By Robert Louis Stevenson. 100
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">ALTEMUS&#8217;<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Stories from History Series</span></p>
+
+<p>A series of stories from history which every boy and girl should know.
+No library is complete without these valuable contributions to juvenile
+literature.</p>
+
+<p>Profusely illustrated. Bound in cloth with illuminated covers, 40 cents
+each.</p>
+
+<p>ROMULUS, THE FOUNDER OF ROME. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>CYRUS THE GREAT, THE FOUNDER OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. By Jacob Abbott. 40
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>DARIUS THE GREAT, KING OF THE MEDES AND PERSIANS. By Jacob Abbott. 34
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>XERXES THE GREAT, KING OF PERSIA. By Jacob Abbott. 39 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ALEXANDER THE GREAT, KING OF MACEDON. By Jacob Abbott. 51 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>PYRRHUS, KING OF EPIRUS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>HANNIBAL, THE CARTHAGINIAN. By Jacob Abbott. 37 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>JULIUS C&AElig;SAR, THE ROMAN CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbott. 44 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>DICKENS&#8217; CHILD&#8217;S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 80 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>ALFRED THE GREAT, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 43 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 70 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>HERNANDO CORTEZ, THE CONQUEROR OF MEXICO. By Jacob Abbott. 30
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>QUEEN ELIZABETH, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>GRANDFATHER&#8217;S CHAIR. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. 68 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>KING CHARLES THE FIRST, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 41 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>KING CHARLES THE SECOND, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 28 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MADAME ROLAND, A HEROINE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. By Jacob Abbott. 42
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MARIE ANTOINETTE, QUEEN OF FRANCE. By John S. C. Abbott. 41
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>JOSEPHINE, EMPRESS OF FRANCE. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. By Prescott Holmes. 70
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>MILITARY HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES. 60 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 60 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. With portraits and
+illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION. By Prescott Holmes. 80 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p>YOUNG PEOPLE&#8217;S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 50 illustrations.</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217; Illustrated<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Mother Goose Series</span></p>
+
+<p>A series of entirely new editions of the most popular books for young
+people. Handsomely printed from large, clear type, on choice paper; each
+volume containing about one hundred illustrations. Half vellum, with
+illuminated sides (6-7/8 x 8-3/4 inches). Price, 50 cents each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Our Animal Friends.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Beauty and the
+Beast.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Bird Stories for Little People.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Cinderella; or, The Little
+Glass Slipper.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The House that Jack Built.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Jack and the
+Bean-Stalk.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Jack the Giant-Killer.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Little Red Riding Hood.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Puss in
+Boots.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Sleeping Beauty.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Who Killed Cock Robin?</span></p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217; Illustrated<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Little Men and Women Series</span></p>
+
+<p>A new series for young people, by the best known English and American
+authors. Profusely illustrated, and with handsome and appropriate
+bindings. Cloth, 12mo. Price, 50 cts. each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Black Beauty.</span> By Anna Sewell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Hiawatha.</span> By Henry W. Longfellow.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.</span> By Lewis Carroll.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Paul and Virginia.</span> By Sainte Pierre.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Galopoff, the Talking Pony.</span> By Tudor Jenks.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Gypsy, the Talking Dog.</span> By Tudor Jenks.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Caps and Capers.</span> By Gabrielle E. Jackson.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Doughnuts and Diplomas.</span> By Gabrielle E. Jackson.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">For Prey and Spoils.</span> By Frederick A. Ober.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Tommy Foster&#8217;s Adventures.</span> By Frederick A. Ober.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Tales from Shakespeare.</span> By Charles and Mary Lamb.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A Little Rough Rider.</span> By Tudor Jenks.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Another Year with Denise and Ned Toodles</span>. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Poor Boys&#8217; Chances.</span> By John Habberton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Sea Kings and Naval Heroes.</span> By Hartwell James.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Polly Perkins&#8217;s Adventures.</span> By E. Louise Liddell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Folly in Fairyland.</span> By Carolyn Wells.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Folly in the Forest.</span> By Carolyn Wells.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Boy Geologist.</span> By Prof. E. J. Houston.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Helen&#8217;s Babies.</span> By John Habberton.</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217; Illustrated<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Wee Books for Wee Folks</span></p>
+
+<p>Filled with charming stories, beautifully illustrated with pictures in
+colors and black and white. Daintily, yet durably bound. Price, 50 cents
+each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Nursery Tales.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Nursery Rhymes.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Story of Peter Rabbit.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Foolish
+Fox.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Three Little Pigs.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Robber Kitten.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Children&#8217;s Gift Series</span></p>
+
+
+<p>A new series of the most famous children&#8217;s classics, in new and
+attractive bindings with full page illustrations in color and black and
+white. Cloth, 4to, 75 cents each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Alice&#8217;s Adventures in Wonderland.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Through the Looking Glass and What
+Alice Found There.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A Child&#8217;s Garden of Verses.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Mother Goose&#8217;s Rhymes,
+Jingles and Fairy Tales.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Swiss Family Robinson.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Adventures of
+Robinson Crusoe.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Grimm&#8217;s Fairy Tales.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Andersen&#8217;s Fairy Tales.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Bible
+Pictures and Stories.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Animal Stories for Little People.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">One-Syllable Series</span><br />
+For Young Readers</p>
+
+<p>Embracing popular works arranged for the young folks in words of one
+syllable. With numerous illustrations by the best artists. Handsomely
+bound, with illuminated covers. Price, 50 cents each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">&AElig;sop&#8217;s Fables.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A Child&#8217;s Life of Christ.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Adventures of Robinson
+Crusoe.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Bunyan&#8217;s Pilgrim&#8217;s Progress.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Swiss Family
+Robinson.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Gulliver&#8217;s Travels.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A Child&#8217;s Story of the Old Testament.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">A
+Child&#8217;s Story of the New Testament.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">Bible Stories for Little
+Children.</span>&mdash;<span class="smcap">The Story of Jesus.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217; Illustrated<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Dainty Series of Choice Gift Books</span></p>
+
+<p>Bound in half-white vellum, illuminated sides, unique designs in gold
+and colors, with numerous half-tone illustrations. Price, 50 cents each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Silver Buckle.</span> By M. Nataline Crumpton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Charles Dickens&#8217; Children Stories.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Children&#8217;s Shakespeare.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Young Robin Hood.</span> By G. Manville Fenn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Honor Bright.</span> By Mary C. Rowsell.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Voyage of the Mary Adair.</span> By Frances E. Crompton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Kingfisher&#8217;s Egg.</span> By L. T. Meade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Tattine.</span> By Ruth Ogden.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Doings of a Dear Little Couple.</span> By Mary D. Brine.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Our Soldier Boy.</span> By G. Manville Fenn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Little Skipper.</span> By G. Manville Fenn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Little Gervaise and Other Stories.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Christmas Fairy.</span> By John Strange Winter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Molly the Drummer Boy.</span> By Harriet T. Comstock.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">How a &#8220;Dear Little Couple&#8221; Went Abroad.</span> By Mary D. Brine.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Rose-Carnation.</span> By Frances E. Crompton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother&#8217;s Little Man.</span> By Mary D. Brine.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Little Swan Maidens.</span> By Frances E. Crompton.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Little Lady Val.</span> By Evelyn Everett Green.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">A Young Hero.</span> By G. Manville Fenn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Queen of the Day.</span> By L. T. Meade.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">That Little French Baby.</span> By John Strange Winter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Powder Monkey.</span> By G. Manville Fenn.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Doll that Talked.</span> By Tudor Jenks.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">What Charlie Found to Do.</span> By Amanda M. Douglas.</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217;<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Young Folks Puzzle Pictures&#8217; Series</span></p>
+
+<p>A new series for young people, including numerous Puzzle Pictures by the
+best artists. Full cloth, illuminated cover design. Price, 50 cents
+each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Goose&#8217;s Puzzle Pictures.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Tale of Peter Rabbit, with Puzzle Pictures.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Animal Tales, with Puzzle Pictures.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">The Night Before Christmas, with Puzzle Pictures.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dog Tales, Cat Tales and Other Tales, with Puzzle Pictures.</span></p>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">Altemus&#8217; Illustrated<br />
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Mother Stories Series</span></p>
+
+<p>An entirely new series, including the best stories that mothers can tell
+their children. Handsomely printed and profusely illustrated. Ornamental
+cloth. Price, 50 cents each.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Stories.</span> 89 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Nursery Rhymes and Tales.</span> 135 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Fairy Tales.</span> 117 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Nature Stories.</span> 97 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Stories from the Old Testament.</span> 45 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Stories from the New Testament.</span> 45 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Bedtime Stories.</span> 86 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Animal Stories.</span> 92 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Bird Stories.</span> 131 illustrations.</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Mother Santa Claus Stories.</span> 91 illustrations.</p>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Motor Boat Club Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully
+entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy
+will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers&#8217;
+Island.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at
+Racing Speed.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare
+Cruise.</p>
+
+<p>5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator
+Swamp.</p>
+
+<p>6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the
+Great Fog.</p>
+
+<p>7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the
+Big Fresh Water.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Range and Grange Hustlers</span><br />
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</p>
+
+<p>Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great
+ranches in the West? Any bright boy will &#8220;devour&#8221; the books of this
+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of
+the Great Divide.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS&#8217; GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their
+Wits Against a Packers&#8217; Combine.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam
+Plows Across the Prairie.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the
+Wheat Pit.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Submarine Boys Series</span><br />
+By VICTOR G. DURHAM</p>
+
+<p>These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life aboard submarine
+torpedo boats, and with the adventures of the young crew, and possess,
+in addition to the author&#8217;s surpassing knack of storytelling, a great
+educational value for all young readers.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS&#8217; TRIAL TRIP; Or, &#8220;Making Good&#8221; as Young Experts.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.</p>
+
+<p>5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS&#8217; LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.</p>
+
+<p>6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.</p>
+
+<p>7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey
+Customs Frauds.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Square Dollar Boys Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; these books are
+bound to make him think, and when he casts his vote he will do it more
+intelligently for having read these volumes.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise
+Steal.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the
+Crooked Land Deal.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Ben Lightbody Series</span><br />
+By WALTER BENHAM</p>
+
+<p>1 BEN LIGHTBODY, SPECIAL; Or, Seizing His First Chance to Make Good.</p>
+
+<p>2 BEN LIGHTBODY&#8217;S BIGGEST PUZZLE; Or, Running the Double Ghost to Earth.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Pony Rider Boys Series</span><br />
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</p>
+
+<p>These tales may be aptly described as those of a new Cooper. In every
+sense they belong to the best class of books for boys and girls.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer
+Trail.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.</p>
+
+<p>5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert
+Maze.</p>
+
+<p>6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.</p>
+
+<p>7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright
+Angel Gulch.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Boys of Steel Series</span><br />
+By JAMES R. MEARS</p>
+
+<p>The author has made of these volumes a series of romances with scenes
+laid in the iron and steel world. Each book presents a vivid picture of
+some phase of this great industry. The information given is exact and
+truthful; above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder
+Pits.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">West Point Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.</p>
+
+<p>1 DICK PRESCOTT&#8217;S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet
+Gray.</p>
+
+<p>2 DICK PRESCOTT&#8217;S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of
+the Soldier&#8217;s Life.</p>
+
+<p>3 DICK PRESCOTT&#8217;S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag
+and Honor.</p>
+
+<p>4 DICK PRESCOTT&#8217;S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray
+for Shoulder Straps.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Annapolis Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.</p>
+
+<p>1 DAVE DARRIN&#8217;S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the
+U. S. Naval Academy.</p>
+
+<p>2 DAVE DARRIN&#8217;S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval
+Academy &#8220;Youngsters.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>3 DAVE DARRIN&#8217;S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class
+Midshipmen.</p>
+
+<p>4 DAVE DARRIN&#8217;S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and
+the Big Cruise.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Young Engineers Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys
+Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of
+all the traditions of Dick &amp; Co.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the &#8220;Man-Killer&#8221;
+Quicksand.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a
+Pick.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Boys of the Army Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of
+to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.</p>
+
+<p>1 UNCLE SAM&#8217;S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States
+Army.</p>
+
+<p>2 UNCLE SAM&#8217;S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal&#8217;s Chevrons.</p>
+
+<p>3 UNCLE SAM&#8217;S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.</p>
+
+<p>4 UNCLE SAM&#8217;S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against
+the Moros.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>Other volumes to follow rapidly.</i>)</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Battleship Boys Series</span><br />
+By FRANK GEE PATCHIN</p>
+
+<p>These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day&#8217;s huge
+drab Dreadnaughts.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam&#8217;s Navy.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as
+Petty Officers.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in
+European Seas.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in
+a Honduras Revolution.</p>
+
+<p>(<i>Other volumes to follow rapidly.</i>)</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Meadow-Brook Girls Series</span><br />
+By JANET ALDRIDGE</p>
+
+<p>Real live stories pulsing with the vibrant atmosphere of outdoor life.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS; Or, Fun and Frolic in the Summer
+Camp.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a
+Summer Hike.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT; Or, The Stormy Cruise of the Red Rover.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">High School Boys Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.</p>
+
+<p>Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick &amp; Co.&#8217;s First Year Pranks and
+Sports.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick &amp; Co. on the Gridley Diamond.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Grilling on the Football
+Gridiron.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Leading the
+Athletic Vanguard.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">Grammar School Boys Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Start Things
+Moving.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick &amp; Co. at Winter Sports.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Trail Fun and
+Knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Make Their
+Fame Secure.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">High School Boy&#8217;s Vacation Series</span><br />
+By H. IRVING HANCOCK</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Give us more Dick Prescott books!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country
+over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers,
+making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and
+the other members of Dick &amp; Co. are the most popular high school boys in
+the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these
+splendid narratives.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS&#8217; CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick &amp; Co.&#8217;s Rivals on Lake
+Pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six
+Training for the Gridley Eleven.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS&#8217; FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick &amp; Co. in the Wilderness.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS&#8217; TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick &amp; Co. Making Themselves
+&#8220;Hard as Nails.&#8221;</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="dashed" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Circus Boys Series</span><br />
+By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Darlington&#8217;s books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the
+Sawdust Life.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the
+Tanbark.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny
+South.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on
+the Big River.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The High School Girls Series</span><br />
+By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M.</p>
+
+<p>These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.</p>
+
+<p>1 GRACE HARLOWE&#8217;S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the
+Oakdale Freshman Girls.</p>
+
+<p>2 GRACE HARLOWE&#8217;S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the
+Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.</p>
+
+<p>3 GRACE HARLOWE&#8217;S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the
+Sororities.</p>
+
+<p>4 GRACE HARLOWE&#8217;S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the
+Ways.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class="minor" />
+
+<p class="center">
+<span style="font-size:1.4em">The Automobile Girls Series</span><br />
+By LAURA DENT CRANE</p>
+
+<p>No girl&#8217;s library&mdash;no family book-case&mdash;can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.</p>
+
+<p>1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.</p>
+
+<p>2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man&#8217;s
+Trail.</p>
+
+<p>3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy
+Hollow.</p>
+
+<p>4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.</p>
+
+<p>5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under
+Southern Skies.</p>
+
+<table width="100%" summary=""><tr><td align="left">Cloth, Illustrated</td><td align="right">Price, per Volume, 50c.</td></tr></table>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="pg" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 23523-h.txt or 23523-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/5/2/23523</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
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+
+
+<pre>
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Adventures in Toyland, by Edith King Hall
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Adventures in Toyland
+       What the Marionette Told Molly
+
+
+Author: Edith King Hall
+
+
+
+Release Date: November 17, 2007  [eBook #23523]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original 70 illustrations.
+      See 23523-h.htm or 23523-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h/23523-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/5/2/23523/23523-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND
+
+To my little friends Dorothy & Doris in recollection of
+the time we spent in fairyland together.
+
+Altemus' Young People's Library
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND
+What the Marionette Told Molly
+
+by
+
+EDITH KING HALL
+
+With Seventy Illustrations
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Copyright 1900 by Henry Altemus Company
+Philadelphia
+Henry Altemus Company
+
+
+
+Contents
+                                                      Page.
+
+   Chap. I. AFTER THE SHUTTERS WERE UP                   13
+    "   II. THE RABBIT AND THE MOUSE                     20
+    "  III. BELINDA                                      57
+    "   IV. THE OFFICER AND THE ELEPHANT                 75
+    "    V. THE LITTLE DANCER                            93
+    "   VI. THE HANSOM-DRIVER                           107
+    "  VII. PROUD CLARIBELLE                            121
+    " VIII. THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL            139
+    "   IX. THE LAST PERFORMANCE                        156
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+Molly and the Marionette,                      Frontispiece
+
+                                                      Page.
+
+Unrolling the Adventures                                  v
+Three Friends in Fairyland                               vi
+The Farthing Doll gets a Surprise                       vii
+From Noah's Ark                                         vii
+Four Merry Ducklings                                     ix
+Birds of a Feather                                      xii
+A Procession from the Ark                                13
+"Molly's astonishment was great"                         15
+The two Dancers                                          19
+The Marionette is waiting                                20
+The Rabbit plays and the Mouse dances                    21
+The Mouse collects the Money                             24
+A Pair of Conspirators                                   26
+"The Sentry is both brave and wicked"                    29
+The Mouse discloses its Plan                             31
+The Owl listens behind the Sentry-box                    35
+The Owl takes charge of the Drum                         37
+On their way to the Sentry-box                           39
+The Rabbit bids the Sentry Good-day                      41
+The Rabbit spreads the Gum over the Floor                44
+The Mouse tries to look pious                            49
+The Rabbit takes Vengeance                               52
+Two little Tell-tales                                    56
+Here the Marionette paused                               57
+Belinda shuts her Eyes                                   59
+"Simplicity and Self"                                    61
+The Sailor-lad tries to startle Belinda                  65
+"Oh, Belinda, how I love you!"                           69
+Bedtime in the Ark                                       74
+The Marionette in a hurry                                75
+The Two Enemies                                          76
+"The Lady Dolls shrieked"                                79
+The Officer threatens the Elephant                       81
+"He fell under the animal's trunk"                       87
+"He grunted and walked slowly away"                      92
+Molly sits beside her Friend                             93
+"One day she saw the Bicycle-man"                        96
+"A very handsome fellow"                                 97
+"Something within her went--_Snap_!"                    103
+"Alas! alack-a-day!"                                    106
+"Come, this won't do!"                                  107
+"The Hansom-driver was very plain"                      109
+"The Butcher, the Baker, and the Clown"                 111
+"My face is my fortune"                                 113
+"Every time he looked in the Glass"                     115
+"Drove off as fast as he could"                         120
+"I should like to hear about her"                       121
+"Claribelle was a haughty doll"                         123
+"The Rag Doll was a pushing person"                     125
+The Driver begins to sing                               127
+"Then she swept away"                                   131
+"The Driver got up with dignity"                        133
+"He loved but drove away"                               135
+Proud Claribelle is penitent                            138
+"The two met as usual"                                  139
+The Grocer meets the Farthing Doll                      140
+"They walked away hand in hand"                         143
+"She handed him a joint of beef"                        147
+"Supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No '"             149
+"They were happy ever after"                            152
+"Molly ran away content"                                155
+"The little Marionette lay on the ground"               156
+"They had just finished their dance"                    160
+"I begin to understand--nerves"                         165
+The General rides off to the nearest chemist            167
+The Clown dances a double-shuffle                       169
+"You are not crying, dear, are you?"                    171
+"She rocked to and fro silently"                        175
+The Marionette fell asleep quite happily                177
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+All sorts of toys were to be found in that toy-shop. It was truly a place
+to please any child! A little girl, who had come to stay there with her
+aunt--the owner of the shop--and her little cousin, was always to be
+found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this
+one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were
+spent in the shop.
+
+It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were
+put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the spot where
+she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette,
+who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very
+fine gentleman.
+
+They were both very prettily dressed. The little lady Marionette wore a
+beautiful white silk dress brocaded with pink roses, whilst her partner
+had on a blue velvet coat, knee breeches, white silk stockings, and
+diamond shoe buckles. Their clothes were really very grand!
+
+And they danced so gayly, too.
+
+"Just as if they like dancing with each other!" the little girl once
+said to her aunt.
+
+"You are a fanciful child, Molly," answered the woman, laughing.
+
+"All the same, I believe I am right," replied the little girl.
+
+This evening, however, they were not to be found in their accustomed
+place. The little platform on which they danced was there, but the dolls
+themselves were gone!
+
+The little girl looked round the shop much bewildered.
+
+"Where _can_ they be?" she said.
+
+At last she saw the little lady Marionette sitting on the right hand
+counter, with her back against the Noah's Ark.
+
+"Well, how funny!" exclaimed the little girl aloud. "How have _you_ got
+there?"
+
+"Walked, of course," answered the little Marionette in a sweet little
+voice.
+
+The little girl's astonishment at this reply was very great. So great
+that it kept her silent.
+
+"You seem rather surprised," said the little Marionette. "Why?"
+
+"Why, I never knew you could talk!" she exclaimed, recovering a little
+from her surprise. "Or any other toy, either," she added.
+
+"Life is full of surprises," remarked the little Marionette; "especially
+in the toy-shop."
+
+"I wish you would tell me all about it," said the little girl, becoming
+bolder. "If toys can walk and talk, why don't children know it?"
+
+"Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant
+regarding their habits," she answered. "_That_ is the reason.
+
+"At the same time," she continued, "as it is, generally speaking, only
+when mortals are not present that we _can_ move and speak freely, this
+ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable."
+
+"But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?"
+
+"That I can't tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a
+Mortal--a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every
+toy--generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks."
+
+The little girl clapped her hands.
+
+"You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!" she
+exclaimed with pleasure. "I am only going to stay with my aunt and my
+cousin for twelve days longer."
+
+She paused a moment, then added:
+
+"How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys--a new story
+every day, you know. Couldn't you do that?"
+
+The little Marionette looked doubtful.
+
+"Before I attempt anything of the sort, I shall have to consult Father
+Christmas--the well-known and much-esteemed patriarch. As he is the Head
+of our Society, I should like to do nothing without his advice and
+sanction."
+
+The little girl sighed anxiously.
+
+"I _do_ hope he'll say 'yes'," she said. "I want so much to hear stories
+of toys told by a toy."
+
+"I'll do my best to please you," said the little Marionette. "Come here
+at the same time to-morrow,--by yourself, for I can only speak before
+one Mortal at a time,--and I will see what I can do."
+
+"Thank you," she said gratefully. "Please give my best love to Father
+Christmas; and tell him if he says 'yes' I will see that Auntie puts him
+at the very top of the Christmas tree."
+
+She turned to go, then paused and came back.
+
+"I should just like to ask you one thing before I go," she said. "Don't
+you and your partner enjoy dancing together?"
+
+The pink cheeks of the little lady seemed to grow a little pinker.
+
+"Perhaps we do," she replied.
+
+"I thought so," remarked her new friend with some satisfaction. "Good
+evening! I shall come again to-morrow at this same time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+The next evening the little girl returned to the Noah's Ark, where she
+found the little Marionette in the same position.
+
+"Well!" she said eagerly.
+
+"I have consulted Father Christmas," answered the little Marionette. "He
+is of the opinion that I may, without harm, tell you tales of _some_ of
+the toys. You shall therefore hear the most interesting stories I can
+remember."
+
+"That will be very nice," said the little girl. "Will you begin at
+once?"
+
+"At once," she agreed, and began the story of "The Rabbit and the
+Mouse."
+
+
+
+
+THE RABBIT & THE MOUSE
+
+
+The white Rabbit and the brown Mouse were both talented, though in
+different ways. The Rabbit's talent showed itself in the precision and
+vigor with which he could beat a drum as he sat on his hind-legs; the
+Mouse in the swiftness and grace with which he could speed to and fro
+upon the counter.
+
+Talking over the matter, they arrived at the conclusion that if they
+went up and down the counter together as a traveling-show they might
+turn a very pretty penny. The Rabbit was to display his musical talent,
+whilst the Mouse was to exhibit his powers of graceful movement.
+
+The profits were to be equally divided. Such, at least, was the
+arrangement as _understood_; but it was not a _written_ agreement, which
+was a great mistake.
+
+The reason, however, that the two partners omitted to be more
+business-like was this: the Rabbit trusted the Mouse, and the Mouse
+hoped to cheat the Rabbit. Not that anything of the sort was openly
+expressed, but each was quite well aware of his own view of the matter.
+
+The two started off upon the most amiable terms, stopping at such places
+as they thought most likely to prove profitable: in front of the dolls'
+houses; before the race-courses; by the shops. Then the Rabbit would
+announce loudly:
+
+"I am a rare-bit from Wales, and the Mouse is a tit-bit from Ireland.
+We charge no fees for performing, but trust to your kind generosity."
+
+After this the Rabbit played the drum with great energy, whilst the
+Mouse ran up and down in the most nimble manner.
+
+It was probably owing to a report which got abroad, to the effect that
+the performers were noble strangers, working in the cause of charity,
+that the success of the pair was so great. It was, indeed, wonderful,
+and in a short time the two had gained quite a little fortune.
+
+It was the Mouse who collected the money. For purposes of his own, he
+persuaded the Rabbit to let him always take upon himself this duty. And
+his companion, who was rather stiff in the joints after sitting
+perfectly still upon his hind-legs for the length of time he was obliged
+to, was quite willing to let the Mouse do as he wished.
+
+Not that he would have been willing to had he known the real facts of
+the case. For as you will understand by what I have said, the Mouse was
+acting towards him in the most dishonest fashion, in spite of his many
+fair words and speeches.
+
+It was in this way that he plotted against his friend: As soon as a
+certain sum of money had been collected, the Mouse always suggested that
+he should go and invest it. To this the Rabbit never made any objection,
+having great faith in the Mouse as an animal with a good business head.
+
+When the little rascal returned after a long absence, he had always a
+fine story to tell of the cleverness with which he had laid out the
+money, and of the fortune which would shortly be coming in. This was
+perfectly untrue. The Mouse was not investing a penny. On the contrary,
+he was hoarding it all up, and for his own benefit.
+
+There was a certain Horse who lived some little way off in a luxurious
+stable. Here the Mouse was minded to pass his last years, so soon as he
+had made a sufficiently large fortune, or unless chance removed him from
+the toy-shop. But in order to carry out his plan, he would have to pay
+the Horse a large sum for the right of sharehold--since it was his stall
+he wished to share,--and also to get the warm, cosy corner he especially
+desired.
+
+The Horse himself was not the noble creature nature had intended him to
+be. He was to the full as greedy as the Mouse, and was indeed his
+helper in the plot. It was to the Horse the little swindler always ran
+when he pretended that he was going to invest the money, and it was in
+his stall that it was hidden. By the end of the half-year the Horse and
+the Mouse calculated that they would have sufficient money to carry out
+their design; when they intended to add further to their wickedness by
+causing the Rabbit to be killed, in order to prevent his asking any
+tiresome questions.
+
+Now, as the time drew near when the money, had it been invested, should
+have brought in some returns, the Rabbit began to talk of what he
+intended doing with _his_ share.
+
+"I think," said he, "after I have supplied my own wants, I shall found a
+drum-scholarship for Musical Rabbits;" for he was a creature of a kind
+and generous nature, and truly devoted to the cause of art.
+
+"A most excellent notion," said the Mouse. "I shall follow your good
+example, and found a scholarship for the encouragement of harmonious
+squeaking amongst Mice. One cannot do too much to encourage the love of
+music amongst all classes."
+
+"When will our first dividends be paid?" asked the Rabbit.
+
+"The money ought to have been paid already," answered the little scamp,
+"but business is very bad just at present. I would explain the matter to
+you, but I doubt you would not understand all the details."
+
+"Very good; I will not trouble you," answered his companion easily. "I
+have perfect faith in your judgment, and will leave all to you."
+
+Yet from time to time, as was natural, he still made inquiries, which
+the Mouse began to find troublesome. He therefore consulted with his
+wicked friend the Horse, and they resolved that, as the half-year was
+approaching, and they had got sufficient money for what they wanted, it
+was better to delay the carrying out of their plot no longer, but to
+kill the Rabbit as soon as it could be managed--indeed that very day.
+
+"To whom shall we intrust the deed?" asked the Horse. "There would be
+too great a risk for either of us to undertake it, I fear. If we were
+discovered there would at once be an end of all our plans. Our money
+would be taken, and possibly our lives also."
+
+The Mouse considered for a moment, then he said:
+
+"I think I know the very fellow for the job. There is the Sentry who
+always stands in his wooden box. He is a chap who will do anything to
+vary the dulness of his life and earn a little money. He told me so the
+other day. He is both brave and wicked. Let _him_ him do the deed."
+
+"Very well," replied the Horse; "I think your idea is good. Will you
+arrange the matter so that it be carried out without any mistake?"
+
+"Leave it to me," replied the other. "You need not disturb yourself. The
+days of the Rabbit are numbered."
+
+"Good!" neighed the Horse; "and the quantity of my corn, oats,--besides
+carrots, apples, and other luxuries,--will be _beyond_ number. We'll at
+once open an account with the fruiterer and corn-dealer."
+
+"Also the cheese-monger," said the Mouse. "Well, I must go; there is not
+a moment to be lost if we wish to carry out our plan." Then he hurried
+off to the Sentry.
+
+"Sentry," said he, "are you prepared to run some risk for the sake of
+money?"
+
+"For the sake of money I'm prepared to do anything," said the wicked
+fellow.
+
+"Then listen," said the Mouse. "There is a sum of money that, strictly
+speaking, ought to be divided between the Rabbit and myself. But the
+best way appears to be that I should have it all. But that is a little
+difficult so long as he is alive. So I come to you to ask you if you
+will kill him, provided I fill your knapsack with gold."
+
+"Upon that condition, yes," said the ruffian. "But don't attempt to
+break it, or I shall put an end to you as well as your friend."
+
+"Never fear. Rest assured you shall have it," said the Mouse.
+
+"Now for the details of the plot," he continued. "I am going to propose
+to the Rabbit a private performance in front of your sentry-box. I shall
+say I have suggested it in order to vary the terrible dulness of your
+existence. Having finished our performance I shall lead the way straight
+forward, _with our backs towards you_. When we have gone a few steps I
+shall remark loudly, 'That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_
+knows how to handle the bayonet'. This is to be the signal for you to
+step quietly out of your box, and, pretending to stumble, stab the
+Rabbit in the back with your bayonet. This should be quite easy, for he
+is sure to be walking away on his hind-legs. He has fallen into that
+habit since he has taken to playing the drum. You and I will, of course,
+exhibit much grief, and declare that his death was an unfortunate
+accident. You see the plan offers no difficulty."
+
+"Then if the _plan_ offers no difficulty, _I_ won't," said the Sentry,
+with a cold-blooded laugh. "When is it to be carried out?"
+
+"This very day, in about two hours' time," replied the Mouse. "Well,
+good-bye for the present, I think it is all very nicely arranged;" and
+he nimbly scurried back to tell the Horse that the Rabbit was to be
+killed by the Sentry; which he did with the utmost glee.
+
+Perhaps, however, his glee would not have been so great had he known
+that whilst he was giving his account of what had occurred to the Horse,
+_his wicked plan was at the same time being told to the intended
+victim_!
+
+This is how such a strange thing happened.
+
+Whilst the Mouse and the Sentry were talking, they had forgotten that
+the Owl's usual position was just behind the sentry-box. Or, if they
+thought of it at all, they gave no heed to the fact, being aware that
+the Owl was accustomed to sleep during the whole of the day.
+
+It so happened, however, that at the very moment the Mouse began his
+conversation with the Sentry, the Owl awakened with a start from a bad
+daymare, and all but hooted with fright. Growing calm as he became wider
+awake, he was going off to sleep again,--when the name of the Rabbit
+caught his ear. Being well acquainted with both him and the Mouse, whose
+squeaking voice he recognized, the Owl listened to what was being said,
+at first with drowsy then with startled attention.
+
+He only waited until he had learned all the details of the vile plot,
+and then, overcoming, in the cause of friendship, every desire to close
+his heavy eyes, he stole away, and imparted his startling news to the
+astonished Rabbit.
+
+"_Impossible!_" exclaimed his hearer, letting his drum-stick fall with a
+crash upon the instrument he had been industriously practising. "I would
+as soon doubt my own honor as that of the little Mouse--my friend and
+companion through weal and woe. _Impossible!_ You must have dreamt it,
+or invented it."
+
+"Don't be so hasty in your judgment," remarked the Owl. "I have neither
+dreamt nor invented it. If you doubt me go without delay to the brown
+Horse's stable, where you will find the Mouse at this present moment
+talking with his wicked companion. I will wait here until you return, in
+case I may be needed to help you in your difficulty."
+
+"Many thanks," said the Rabbit, and leaving his drum in charge of the
+Owl he hurried away.
+
+But a short time passed, and then he returned with a look of horror and
+dismay.
+
+"All you have told me is but too true," he exclaimed. "Let me tender you
+my most sincere apologies for having doubted your word. Unseen by my
+faithless friend, I listened to his conversation with the Horse, and
+overheard more than enough to convince me of the truth of your story.
+
+"Yet who," he continued sorrowfully, "who could have believed it of that
+little Mouse? Who would have imagined so great an amount of deceit dwelt
+in so small a body?"
+
+Then he recovered his spirit. "I will baulk him yet!" he exclaimed, his
+pink eyes flashing, and his white fur bristling with excitement.
+
+"How can I help you?" asked the Owl. "I will endeavor to keep awake as
+long as I am wanted."
+
+"Wait a moment," answered the Rabbit, and then he beat a tattoo
+thoughtfully on his drum. "I think I have arrived at a conclusion," he
+said presently. "I will meet their dastardly plot by a counter-plot. I
+do not expect the Mouse back for another half-hour; he told me he should
+be busy till half-past twelve putting away our recent earnings. This
+will just give us time to do what I wish.
+
+"Here is _my_ plot," he continued. "Having procured a bottle of gum we
+will go to the sentry-box, at the back of which you will take up your
+position. I will tell the Sentry you have been telling me a most comical
+little dream you have had--the one, indeed, you told me of late. He is a
+great fellow for good stories, and will certainly hurry off to hear it.
+
+"Whilst he is away I will spread the bottom of the sentry-box with gum.
+When, on his return, he steps into the box, I shall keep him still, and
+give the gum time to take effect, by offering him a bet of a gold piece
+that he will not stand perfectly motionless whilst I go home and back.
+He is very fond of a bet, and is sure to accept it. Leaving you to see
+that he acts fairly, I shall go and meet the Mouse, returning here for
+the performance which is to be suggested.
+
+"That, however, I shall cut short, having no desire to waste my talent
+on a villain like the Sentry. I shall turn away with the Mouse, who, on
+giving the signal agreed upon, will, to his amazement, find that it is
+followed by no result. For by that time the Sentry will be gummed so
+tightly to the floor of his sentry-box that he will not be able to move
+an inch.
+
+"Having enjoyed the sight of their confusion I shall punish them, biting
+off the head of the Mouse--for whose deceit no punishment can be too
+severe,--and beating the Sentry about the head until he can't see out of
+his eyes. Nor shall the Horse escape my vengeance. I shall creep into
+his stall, and suddenly, and with a precise aim, throw a piece of gold
+at the pupils of his wicked eyes. Thus he will be totally blinded by the
+gold he has wrongfully helped to keep. A most fit and proper
+punishment."
+
+"Your plans are well and thoughtfully worked out," said the Owl,
+blinking his eyes.
+
+"To business, then," remarked the Rabbit; and the two having first
+procured the gum took their way to the sentry-box; the Rabbit strolling
+thither on his hind-legs to avoid any appearance of alarm or haste, the
+Owl hopping by his side with a certain grave and sleepy dignity.
+
+Arrived at the sentry-box, the Owl placed himself behind it, whilst the
+Rabbit, concealing the bottle of gum under his drum, went to the front
+and bid the Sentry "good-day."
+
+"Good-day," said the Sentry. "What are you grinning at?" For the Rabbit
+was smiling from ear to ear.
+
+"Nothing of much consequence," he replied. "Merely a most comical little
+dream that the Owl--who happens for a wonder to be awake--has been
+telling me. It made me die of laughter."
+
+"Pass it on," said the Sentry.
+
+"I shouldn't think of doing that," replied the Rabbit. "I don't approve
+of telling people's own particular little stories; they prefer the fun
+of relating them themselves. Look here, you go round for a moment or two
+and get him to let you hear it before he drops asleep again. It is an
+occasion to seize, for he is hardly ever awake when other people are,
+and he tells a story better than anyone else I know."
+
+"Well, I rather think I will," answered the Sentry. "I'm very fond of a
+good story. You take my place whilst I'm away, there's a good fellow.
+Here, put down your drum and take my bayonet."
+
+"Very good," answered the Rabbit, and the Sentry hurried off.
+
+The moment he had turned the corner the Rabbit set to work and spread
+gum all over the floor of the sentry-box. Then, standing outside, he
+took up the bayonet and mounted guard, first carefully hiding the
+tell-tale bottle behind a box of bricks. By and by the Sentry returned.
+
+"Well, it was not a very good story after all," he said rudely. "Thank
+you for nothing. Why aren't you in the sentry-box? I am inclined to
+bayonet you for breaking your word."
+
+"I should not have been able to move about sufficiently," the Rabbit
+answered. "I should have suffered from cramp."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" the Sentry replied. "I stand in it for hours at a
+time."
+
+"But not without moving?" asked the Rabbit, with an air of disbelief.
+"Without stirring an eighth of an inch," the Sentry said.
+
+"I don't believe it," replied the Rabbit. "I challenge you to keep
+perfectly still for any length of time. I bet you a gold piece you won't
+stand motionless whilst I run home and back again."
+
+"Done!" said the Sentry, and straightway stepped into his box.
+
+"This sentry-box gets slimy and dirty," he said, without the least idea
+of what the Rabbit had done. "It is quite sticky with dirt. It wouldn't
+be a bad thing if you were to clean it out for me some day."
+
+"I'll see," answered the other carelessly, fearing to be either too
+polite or too rude lest he should arouse any suspicions in the Sentry's
+mind. "I don't generally care to do other people's dirty work, but I may
+do that some day when I am not busy. You serve your country, so you
+deserve a little help."
+
+"If you don't do it willingly, you shall do it unwillingly," he
+blustered. "If _I_ serve my country, _you_ must serve me."
+
+"There's plenty of time to think it over," answered the Rabbit. "In the
+meanwhile, you can't stir even to have it cleaned or you lose your bet.
+I'm off. But wait, I must call the Owl to be a witness that you keep
+strictly to the terms we have agreed upon."
+
+Then, having called the Owl and stated the terms of the bet, the Rabbit
+went home.
+
+Here he awaited the arrival of the Mouse, who presently returned, full
+of pretended sympathy for the dulness of the Sentry's life.
+
+"He told me to-day," said the little rascal, "that the dulness of his
+life was killing him. It struck me that it would be really an act of
+charity on our part to give him a little performance, and let him fully
+understand we expect no money for it. I hinted at something of the sort
+to him, and the poor fellow's face lighted up in a way that was quite
+touching. Suppose we go his way now as we have a little spare time."
+
+"I'm quite willing to," replied the Rabbit. "But I've just come from
+him, and he never complained of dulness to me. In fact, he was in quite
+good enough spirits to have a bet with me on the subject of his being
+able to stand motionless for a certain time."
+
+"Oh, he did that to try and kill care, no doubt," answered the Mouse. "I
+know him well, though he is a reserved chap and opens out his heart to
+few. Come on."
+
+Now by the time the Rabbit and the Mouse returned to the sentry-box, the
+gum had had time to get well dried, so that the Sentry was firmly fixed
+in his box. Nevertheless, there was still the danger that he might
+attempt to move, and so find out too soon the trick that had been played
+upon him. To avert this, directly the Rabbit came back again he lost no
+time in remarking to the Sentry:
+
+"Yes, I acknowledge you have won the bet. But you have only just managed
+to do so; you are looking quite tired out. Another five minutes or less,
+and you would have been unable to stand still a moment longer."
+
+"Double or quits!" cried the Sentry. "For another gold piece, I'll
+engage to keep still for the time you mention. If I fail to do so, of
+course you don't pay me anything."
+
+"Agreed," said the Rabbit.
+
+"Oh, friends," exclaimed the Mouse, shaking his head, "do not give way
+to this habit! It is, indeed, a sad, bad one."
+
+This he merely said to impress the Owl (on whom he had not counted as a
+spectator) with a sense of his moral worth. He hoped by this means to
+counteract any after suspicions that might arise in the good bird's
+mind.
+
+"As to that," said the Sentry, who was generally rude whether he was
+addressing friend or foe, "it is my own concern whether I bet or not.
+You had better not trouble yourself with my affairs, but if you really
+mean to give me one of your performances you would do well to begin."
+
+"Just as you will," the Mouse said. "But I can't help taking an
+interest in the welfare of those with whom I have to do." Then
+addressing the Rabbit: "Dear friend," he said smoothly, "will you open
+with your famous _reverie_, 'Dreamings of a Drum,' whilst I perform my
+_pas de quatre_, 'Twirlings of the Toes?'"
+
+"Very good," agreed the Rabbit.
+
+And the two performers began. But in a few moments the Rabbit stopped.
+
+"I cannot continue," he said. "I am suffering from cramp in the muscles
+of my drum-legs."
+
+"Dear! What a pity!" exclaimed the Mouse. "Come for a walk and brace
+yourself up."
+
+"All right!" answered the Rabbit. "We'll go and fetch the gold pieces
+which I must give this fellow."
+
+"Can't you give me something at once?" asked the Sentry, who did not, in
+his greed of gold, wish to lose the chance of getting all he could.
+
+"I've nothing with me," replied the Rabbit. And so saying he followed
+the Mouse, who with his back towards the Sentry had already moved away.
+
+They had hardly gone more than half a dozen steps when the Mouse said
+suddenly and loudly: "That Sentry friend of ours is a smart chap; _he_
+knows how to handle the bayonet."
+
+"You are right," answered the Rabbit, and walked on, the Mouse doing
+the same, though with lagging steps.
+
+Presently a look of anger and wonder crept into his eyes, remarking
+which the Rabbit laughed.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" asked the Mouse uneasily.
+
+"At nothing particular," answered his companion. "Cheerfulness, you
+know, is a habit of the mind."
+
+At this moment a loud groan burst from the Sentry, who during this time
+had been struggling to get free, and in a last frantic effort, had just
+succeeded in giving a most painful rick to his back.
+
+"Our Sentry friend does not look happy," said the Rabbit grimly.
+
+"He is not well, I suppose," answered the Mouse nervously. "What has
+happened, I wonder?"
+
+"ALL IS DISCOVERED!" exclaimed the Rabbit loudly.
+
+Then as the Mouse made a desperate effort to run away, the Rabbit dealt
+him a blow on the back which injured the clockwork within his body and
+quite put a stop to his flight.
+
+"I know all!" the Rabbit said sternly. "You are a little villain! What
+defence can you offer for so grossly deceiving me?"
+
+But the Mouse made no reply. In a fury of disappointment and fear he was
+biting the Rabbit's legs, hoping thus to disable him and prevent his
+punishing the treachery that had been brought to light.
+
+"Desist!" cried the Rabbit, "or I shall end your life without delay. I
+repeat, what excuse can you offer for having so wickedly broken the
+terms of our agreement? You have tried to rob me of my life and my
+money. Make your defence."
+
+"There was no written agreement," answered the Mouse shamelessly. "Each
+was at liberty to understand it in his own way."
+
+"Most wicked of animals, you are not fit to live," cried the Rabbit with
+disgust. "Your moments are numbered."
+
+Then before the Mouse could offer any protest, the Rabbit bit his head
+right off and swallowed it.
+
+"You will observe," said the Rabbit to the Owl with dignity, "that I
+still maintain my proper position in the eyes of the world as a Welsh
+rare-bit, but the Mouse, owing to his misdeeds, is now in the
+contemptible state of the biter bit. Such is the end of the wicked.
+
+"As for you," he continued to the Sentry, who, with his boastful spirit
+crushed, stood trembling in the Sentry-box; "as for you, you have seen
+too much of the world and its ways. It would be better for you to see a
+little less of it for a time."
+
+Then, according to his intention, the Rabbit beat the Sentry about the
+head until he could not see out of his eyes.
+
+"It now only remains to deal with the Horse. I go to give him the due
+reward of his deeds," the Rabbit remarked, taking up his drum and
+preparing to leave. But pausing a moment he added to the Owl: "With
+regard to you, my good friend, if ever an opportunity arises by which I
+can show you my gratitude for your kind services, rest assured that I
+shall eagerly avail myself of it."
+
+Now, the next morning the woman who keeps this shop spoke severely to
+her own little girl.
+
+"You have been touching the toys and damaging them," she said with
+anger. "See what mischief you have done! You have knocked off the head
+of this mouse--and, what is more, I can't find it anywhere,--you have
+rubbed all the paint off this sentry's face, and you have broken the
+glass eyes of this brown horse. You shall be punished."
+
+The little girl began to whimper.
+
+"I have not hurt the toys," she said. "I have never touched them since
+you put me to bed for breaking the baby doll."
+
+The woman looked puzzled: "If you say you haven't, you haven't, I
+suppose," she said, "for I know you are a truthful child. Then how has
+it happened? I shouldn't think any customer would do it without my
+noticing. I can't understand it."
+
+Nor can she to this day. But we can: you, the Rabbit, the Owl, the
+Sentry, the Horse, and myself. But not the Mouse, for he has lost his
+head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+Here the little Marionette paused.
+
+"That is all," she said.
+
+"What a good thing that the Mouse had his head bitten off," said the
+little girl thoughtfully.
+
+"It was just as well," the Marionette answered, "since he could use it
+to no better purpose."
+
+"Some of the toys were very wicked in that story, I think; dreadfully
+wicked."
+
+"I think the same. They were bad, wicked toys, with bad, wicked ways."
+
+"Are many of the toys you know as wicked as that?" asked Molly.
+
+"Oh, dear no!" said the little Marionette, quite shocked. "Most of my
+friends and acquaintances are really wonderfully well-behaved."
+
+"Do you know, I should like you next time to tell me about one of them."
+
+"About some one simple, perhaps?"
+
+"Yes, I think so."
+
+The little Marionette thought a moment.
+
+Then she said: "I know of no one more simple than Belinda."
+
+"Tell me about her, if you please."
+
+"Very good. You shall hear of Belinda and her simplicity."
+
+So the next day she told her friend the story of "Belinda."
+
+
+
+
+BELINDA
+
+
+Belinda was a little wax doll who had a most charming way of opening and
+shutting her eyes. When Mortals were about, she could not do it unless
+they helped by pulling a wire. But when once the shop was closed, and
+the toys, left to themselves, could move at pleasure, _then_ Belinda
+pulled her own wires and opened and shut her eyes as she pleased. She
+did this in so simple and unaffected a fashion that it delighted
+everyone to see her.
+
+"What simplicity! what delightful simplicity!" said the other toys.
+"'Tis really charming!"
+
+"Singularly simple," repeated the Butcher, who always stood at the door
+of his shop, watching for the customers that so seldom came. "She is
+like an innocent lamb," he added, his thoughts turning to his trade; "a
+simple, harmless lamb."
+
+"Elle est tres gentille, la petite Belinde," remarked Mademoiselle
+Cerise, the French doll just arrived from Paris. "Elle est une jeune
+fille fort bien elevee; elle ferme les yeux d'une facon vraiment
+ravissante."
+
+"Here we are again, Simplicity and Self!" said the Clown, turning a
+somersault and landing by Belinda's side with a broad grin upon his
+face.
+
+She made no reply, but instantly closed her eyes. She was not quite sure
+but that he was laughing at her, so she thought it more prudent not to
+see him.
+
+"There! did you notice?" ... "Wasn't it pretty and simple?" said all the
+Toys to one another as they looked at Belinda.
+
+I must, however, make an exception when I say "all" the Toys. There was
+one who did not utter a word. This was Jack, the curly-headed
+Sailor-Boy, who was deeply in love with Belinda. He was so unhappy about
+the matter that he feared to speak of her lest in so doing the thought
+of his sorrow should make him shed unmanly tears in public.
+
+I will tell you the cause of his grief. He could not make her see how
+much he loved her. Whenever he came near her she immediately closed her
+eyes. So that it did not matter what expression he assumed, it was all
+wasted on Belinda. He worried himself about it very much.
+
+"Is it," said he to himself, "because she doesn't happen to see, or
+because she doesn't wish to see? How can I make her open her eyes? Shall
+I speak to her coldly or gently, with mirth or with melancholy, in
+poetry or in prose?"
+
+"I will be poetical," he resolved; "I will sing her a song of love. That
+may induce her to open her eyes."
+
+Now Jack was only a simple Sailor-Lad; he knew little music and less
+poetry. A few sea-songs and one or two little ballads, these were all he
+had to trust to, and he could think of none that seemed suitable to the
+occasion.
+
+He thought long, and finally remembered the beginning of an old song
+which, with a little alteration, would, he decided, do very well. So, in
+a rough but tender voice, he thus sang to his lady-love:--
+
+    "Of all the girls I love so well,
+      There's none I love like 'Linder;
+    She is the darling of my heart,--
+      And Linder rhymes with cinder."
+
+"This," he said to himself, "will teach her how deep and how true my
+love is for her. _This_ should open her eyes."
+
+But Belinda, quite unmoved, sat with them tightly closed.
+
+"I will try again," he said to himself. And he sang the verse once more,
+though this time his voice shook so greatly with emotion that he was
+obliged to stop in the middle in order to steady it.
+
+After this he sat silent, hoping that Belinda would even now open her
+eyes.
+
+"Then," said he, "she will see how sad I look, and she will surely be
+touched."
+
+But disappointment was again his lot. She never opened even half an eye.
+
+"Shiver my timbers!" said the luckless Sailor-Lad, "she'll be the death
+of me."
+
+And he went away mournfully whistling "_The Death of Nelson_."
+
+Then he tried to startle her by suddenly shouting within her hearing a
+few seafaring expressions he knew. "Hard-a-port! Lay aft! Yo, heave ho!"
+
+She half-opened her eyes, but immediately closed them again. "Those
+expressions sound a little rough," she remarked.
+
+He felt sorely tried.
+
+"None so blind as those who _won't_ see, my lass," he said one day.
+
+"I should have thought," she answered with unaffected surprise, "it was
+those who _can't_ see."
+
+"Have you looked up through the sky-light this afternoon?" he asked.
+"The sunset is glorious."
+
+"Describe it to me. I love descriptions," she said with simple
+enthusiasm.
+
+"You had better see it for yourself," he said crossly and turned away.
+He felt so wretched that really he would have liked to go to sea.
+
+He sighed again,--and looked back at Belinda. Why, her eyes were open!
+He hurried over to her, pinching with great energy his arm as he went,
+in order to make himself tearful, and thus, if possible, appear more
+miserable than he already did. The tears did come, but just as he got to
+Belinda she closed her eyes once more.
+
+"The sunset is indeed perfect," she said, "I have been watching it till
+my eyes ache, and I cannot keep them open any longer."
+
+"I look just as if I had a cold in my head. You can see that for
+yourself, can't you?" he asked, hoping that this question would induce
+her to glance at him and observe his tears.
+
+"Why, no," she answered, "I can't because my eyes are closed. But if you
+say so, I suppose you must be correct."
+
+"Belinda, I love you," said he.
+
+"Thank you very much," answered she. "Isn't it extraordinary weather for
+this time of the year? I can hardly believe that we are in the middle
+of summer."
+
+Poor Jack left in despair, and this time he whistled a funeral march.
+
+But like a true-hearted sailor, he resolved to try again. So the next
+day he said to her:
+
+"Belinda, I'm afraid we are going to have heavy weather, there are so
+many clouds overhead. Look up out of the sky-light and you will see for
+yourself."
+
+"I would rather not," she said, keeping her eyes tightly closed. "I
+don't like seeing clouds; it depresses my spirits."
+
+"You can look out of the sky-light _now_," he said to her later,
+"without being afraid of seeing the clouds. They have all cleared away
+and it is blue again."
+
+"Then I can enjoy my afternoon nap," she remarked simply, "without fear
+of thunder."
+
+And on this occasion the poor curly-headed Sailor felt too miserable
+even to attempt whistling; he went away in dumb despair!
+
+It was just about this time that Mademoiselle Cerise was bought by a
+lady as a present for her little god-daughter.
+
+"But the color of the doll's dress has become faded," said the lady.
+"She must have a new one before I take her."
+
+"That can easily be arranged in a day," said the owner of the shop.
+
+"Very well," answered the lady, "then I will buy her. You need not send
+her. I will bring my little friend with me to-morrow afternoon when we
+shall be passing your shop. She will like to carry her new doll through
+the streets."
+
+Next morning when Mademoiselle Cerise was brought back to the shop after
+having been absent since the previous afternoon, the Sailor-Lad was
+struck by something very familiar about the appearance of her new blue
+muslin dress. At first he could not think why. Then he understood; the
+muslin was--so it seemed to him--of exactly the same pattern and
+exactly the same color as Belinda's dress.
+
+As he realized this a sudden thought struck him, upon which he acted
+without delay.
+
+Coming up to Belinda softly, who was sitting with her eyes closed, he
+exclaimed loudly and suddenly in her ear: "Belinda, Belinda!
+Mademoiselle Cerise has on a dress precisely like yours!"
+
+"No!" she said, and opened her eyes in a moment. She gazed around
+anxiously for Mademoiselle Cerise, but the Sailor-Boy placed himself
+right before her and looked at her as adoringly as he knew how.
+
+"Oh, Belinda," he said, "how I love you!"
+
+"Do you?" said she with great surprise. "Well, you don't love me more
+than I love you."
+
+"You make me very happy, my lass," said he. "But why are you astonished
+at my saying I love you? Have I not told you so before?"
+
+"I thought you were quizzing," she answered.
+
+"The sad expression of my face should have told you I was not quizzing,"
+he replied.
+
+"How could I tell what your expression was when I never saw it?" she
+asked with some reproach.
+
+"You did not see it because you always closed your eyes when I spoke to
+you," he replied. "What made you do that?"
+
+Belinda thought a moment
+
+"It was merely a habit I had fallen into," said she.
+
+"You should never become a slave to a habit," replied the curly-headed
+Sailor-Lad. He spoke reprovingly, as he thought of his many heart-aches.
+
+She did not like to be reproved, so she changed the subject.
+
+"You made a mistake," she said. "Mademoiselle Cerise's dress is very
+pretty, but it is not _precisely_ like mine; the pattern is larger and a
+little louder, and the color is lighter and a little harsher."
+
+"Well, perhaps," said the Sailor-Lad. He spoke very cheerful now, he
+felt in such good spirits.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"I am very glad that the Sailor-Boy was happy at last," said the little
+girl. "I was afraid Belinda never meant to open her eyes."
+
+"It certainly looked like it at one time," answered the little
+Marionette. "However, it was all right in the end, for she opened them
+in time to prevent her Sailor-Boy's heart from breaking."
+
+"I wonder why she kept them closed so long."
+
+"I wonder," reflected the little Marionette. And she smiled.
+
+"Force of habit, I suppose, as she herself said," she remarked after a
+pause. "We all have our little ways. Now what sort of story would you
+like to-morrow?"
+
+The little girl thought deeply for a few moments. Then she said: "You
+have told me a story about a sailor, so I should like the next one to be
+about a soldier."
+
+"A soldier--a soldier--" the Marionette answered. "I don't think I know
+one about a soldier--Yes, stay; there is the story of the Officer and
+the Elephant. That is about a soldier."
+
+"An Officer and an Elephant! How nice!" exclaimed the little girl
+eagerly. "I am quite certain it must be very funny."
+
+"I don't think the Officer found it so," the little lady replied, giving
+a sweet, little tinkling laugh.
+
+"Didn't he?" asked her listener with much interest.
+
+"I wish you would tell me all about it now," she continued; "I want so
+much to hear it."
+
+"Not now," replied the little Marionette, "it is getting too late; all
+the animals in the Noah's Ark are fast asleep. Listen, they are snoring
+loudly. Come to-morrow at the same time. Be punctual, for the story is a
+long one."
+
+"Yes, I will," promised the little girl.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+The next day she was as good as her word, arriving to the very minute. It
+was the little Marionette who was not in time. It was quite five minutes
+before she tripped up the counter and greeted her little friend. The
+little girl looked at her with some reproach.
+
+"It is _you_ who are late, not I," she said.
+
+"Is it?" replied the little Marionette. "Well, I _am_ ashamed. However,
+here I am now, so I will begin at once to tell you my tale."
+
+And settling herself down, and smoothing out her beautiful brocade
+dress, she began without further ado, the story of: "The Officer and
+the Elephant."
+
+
+
+
+THE OFFICER & THE ELEPHANT
+
+
+Amongst all the Toys in the toy-shop, none were so disliked and feared
+as the twelve Wooden Soldiers who, with an imposing Officer at their
+head, proudly faced the world in double file.
+
+In the first place, they were intensely proud and vain. They showed this
+in everything they did. For example, their drill was of the most simple
+description. It merely consisted in their moving backwards and forwards
+from one another on a platform of sticks, which could be drawn out or in
+at pleasure.
+
+This, it will easily be believed, required no great skill or knowledge.
+Yet, to judge from the pride expressed upon the faces of the Wooden
+Soldiers as they went through this simple movement, one would have
+certainly imagined it was exceedingly difficult.
+
+Their foolish pride was also displayed in their manner towards others.
+No one ventured to ask them even the most civil of questions for fear of
+receiving a rude answer. Father Christmas one afternoon happened to
+inquire at the Commanding-officer what time it was.
+
+"Time," he replied, "for little boys to be in bed."
+
+"You might," said the patriarch gravely, "have shown a little respect
+for the length of my beard and the whiteness of my hairs. 'Tis hardly
+the way to speak to a man of my years and standing. One, too, who with
+the decline of the year expects to be at the top of the tree."
+
+But the Officer merely laughed loudly and shrugged his shoulders.
+
+From this instance, which is only one example of many, you will easily
+understand how the Wooden Soldiers came to be disliked in the toy-shop.
+
+As for the fear they inspired, this was partly owing to the long swords
+they wore, and partly owing to the boasting way in which they vowed they
+could use them.
+
+"My men and I really command the whole shop," said the Officer one day.
+"Moreover, who faces one, faces all, for we all march in the same
+direction. We not only have our good swords, but we know how to use
+them. They are sheathed now, but let no one count upon that to offend
+us. Let but a foolhardy toy dare insult us, and--" here he gave the word
+of command, and instantly a dozen and one swords sprang from their
+scabbards.
+
+The lady Dolls shrieked, the Grocer and the Butcher began to put up
+their shutters with trembling hands; the white, furry Rabbit became a
+shade whiter; and the corners of the Clown's mouth dropped instead of
+going up as usual. It was plain that a general panic was felt.
+
+The only Toy that did not appear to be affected was the great gray
+Elephant lately arrived. He twisted his trunk round thoughtfully, but
+never changed countenance.
+
+The Officer saw the general terror he had inspired, and both he and his
+Soldiers were well pleased.
+
+"Besides," he continued, speaking more loudly than before, "if our
+swords fail us we shall have recourse to gunpowder, which will make
+short work of our enemies."
+
+The Elephant looked at the Officer and his men.
+
+"I don't see it," he said bluntly.
+
+"I didn't suppose you would," said the Officer scornfully. "Don't speak
+in such a hurry. The powder I'm speaking of is felt but not seen. It's
+our last improvement, arrived at by slow degrees. Gunpowder,--smokeless
+gunpowder,--soundless gunpowder,--invisible gunpowder. Thus we may
+surround an enemy with enough gunpowder to blow up a town, but they
+neither see it nor hear it. In fact, they know nothing about it until
+they are blown up."
+
+This time all the Toys nearly expired with fright! The Elephant only
+remained, as before, unmoved.
+
+"Invisible gunpowder is more humane in the end," the Officer continued.
+"You are quite unaware of what is happening until you find yourself in
+pieces."
+
+"The same thing may happen to yourself, I suppose?" asked the Elephant,
+in his heavy and clumsy fashion.
+
+"Beg pardon; did anyone speak?" inquired the Officer in the most
+insulting of voices. For he despised the Elephant and wished to snub
+him.
+
+"I asked you if the same might not happen to yourself?" the Elephant
+repeated, regardless of the Officer's attempt to make him appear
+foolish. "What if the enemy serves you the same way?"
+
+"That difficulty, my good beast," he answered in his most overbearing
+manner, "is easily disposed of. We have special Soldiers trained to
+_smell_ gunpowder. We have merely to send out these scouts, and we can
+trace the gunpowder anywhere within gunshot."
+
+"I don't believe it," said the Elephant.
+
+The Officer at this laughed a grim laugh, truly awful to hear.
+
+"Ha, Ha!" he exclaimed; "do not provoke me too far lest I slay you with
+my sword. I'm a man of sport, and to do the act would cause me no little
+diversion. Beware!"
+
+The Elephant made no reply, which induced the Officer to think he had
+frightened him.
+
+"A great clumsy beast of no spirit," he said to his Soldiers.
+
+"Right, sir," answered the Soldiers.
+
+"Now to drill," he continued sharply. "Attention! Eyes right, eyes
+left; right movement, left movement; swords out, swords in!
+Mark--_time_!"
+
+This last command they were obliged to obey with their heads, their feet
+being tightly gummed on to the platform. So tightly gummed that they
+could not get free even when Mortals were not present, and all the Toys
+were at liberty to speak, walk, and talk. Indeed, nothing but a strong
+blow could possibly loosen them from their position.
+
+Therefore, when they marched or even took a simple walk they were
+obliged to march or walk in a body, taking the platform with them.
+Again, if the Commanding-officer granted leave of absence to one, he was
+obliged to grant it to all, even to himself, otherwise no one could have
+taken it.
+
+"Come," said the Officer to the Elephant one day, "you are a bright
+beast. Let me propound you a mathematical problem. If a herring and a
+half cost three halfpence, how much would six herrings cost?"
+
+"Just as much as they ought to, if you went to an honest fishmonger,"
+answered the Elephant.
+
+The Officer and his men laughed loudly.
+
+"Capital, capital!" said the bully. "If you distinguish yourself in this
+way we shall have to make you Mathematical Instructor-in-General to the
+whole army."
+
+But the Elephant made no reply.
+
+"That's the thickest-skinned animal I ever met," said the Officer to his
+men.
+
+But herein he made a mistake. The Elephant never forgot an insult, but
+paid it back upon the first opportunity.
+
+The opportunity, in this case, was not long in arriving; it came,
+indeed, all too soon for the Officer's taste.
+
+It occurred in this way.
+
+One day a little boy came into the shop and asked to look at some
+soldiers, upon which the shopwoman showed him the wooden warriors.
+
+"No, I don't like them," he said; "they have to move all the same way at
+once. It is very stupid of them. Have you no others?"
+
+"Not just at the moment," replied the shopwoman. "We are expecting some
+more. They should have been here several days ago."
+
+"Then I'll take a train," said the boy. "But it is very funny that you
+should have such a poor lot of soldiers as these."
+
+"That silly remark will make the Toys less afraid of us," thought the
+Officer to himself with some alarm. "I shall make the men practise
+sword-drill in the most open fashion for several hours. This will remind
+the world that we are not to be trifled with."
+
+But it is one thing to make a resolution and quite another thing to
+carry it into effect. This the Officer was to experience ere the day was
+over.
+
+For in putting the Soldiers back into their place the shopwoman happened
+to hit the Officer with some force against a dolls' house. Being a very
+hard blow it knocked him off the platform, and, unnoticed by her, he
+fell on his back upon the counter.
+
+Now came the time for the Elephant's revenge. _The Officer fell just
+under the animal's trunk!_
+
+It was, as the Officer at once realized, by no means a pleasant
+situation. As his men were some yards away from him, and unable to come
+in a body to his rescue till perhaps too late, the Officer was
+exceedingly uneasy.
+
+"I had better soothe the monster," he said to himself. Then aloud, and
+in a pleasant voice: "What a nice handy trunk that is of yours; you must
+be able to carry so much in it? As for me, I have to travel with a
+portmanteau, a Gladstone-bag, a hat-box, and a gun-case; it is a
+terrible nuisance."
+
+He paused, but the Elephant made no reply.
+
+"This is not very pleasant," said the Officer uneasily to himself. "I
+fear the beast is of a sulky temper. What _will_ happen to me?"
+
+And he lay still, trembling and fearful.
+
+At last the day closed in, the Mortals shut up the shop and left, and
+the time of the Toys arrived.
+
+The Elephant then addressed the Officer in a slow voice and ponderous
+manner.
+
+"I feel inclined to trample on you," he remarked.
+
+The Officer closed his eyes with terror; then, half-opening them, he
+endeavored to look defiantly and speak boldly.
+
+"Pre-pre-sump-tu-tu-ous b-b-b-beast!" he faltered.
+
+The Elephant looked at him threateningly.
+
+"It was on-on-ly my f-f-un!" stammered the Officer, trembling with fear,
+and all the crimson fading from his cheeks.
+
+"Do you wish me to spare your life?" asked the Elephant.
+
+"It is very valuable," the Officer replied more calmly as he regained
+courage, and unable to forget his foolish pride even in that awful
+moment.
+
+"The world can do without it," said the great beast threateningly.
+
+"Spare me!" cried the coward and bully.
+
+The Elephant paused.
+
+"Very good," he answered, "but only upon my own conditions."
+
+"Certainly, certainly," the Officer said in a fawning voice. "Many
+thanks; any conditions that you may think proper."
+
+After this the Elephant thought for a long while. Then he said:
+
+"These are my conditions. You must submit to let me carry you up and
+down the counter, stopping before such Toys as I shall see fit. And
+whenever I stop, you are to announce yourself in these words:
+'Good-evening. Have you kicked the coward and the bully? The real
+genuine article, no imitation. If you have not kicked him already, kick
+him without delay.'"
+
+"It is too bad of you to require me to say this," the Officer cried, his
+anger for the moment overcoming his fear. "But then you are not a
+gentleman. You are--"
+
+"When you have done," interrupted the Elephant, "I will begin."
+
+So saying, and amidst the intense excitement of the other Toys, the
+Elephant, with his trunk, slowly picked up his fallen foe by the back of
+the coat and began his ponderous march--so triumphant for himself, so
+humiliating for the Officer.
+
+The programme was carried out exactly as the Elephant had said it should
+be, for the great gray beast was a beast of his word. He never made up
+his mind in a foolish hurry, but having made it up he rarely altered it.
+
+And so it was upon this occasion. After every few steps the huge
+creature stopped before one or another of the Toys, when the former
+tyrant was obliged to announce himself as a coward and a bully, and
+invite a kicking, an invitation which was always accepted, and acted
+upon with much heartiness.
+
+Finally the avenger laid the Officer on the platform, from which the
+Wooden Soldiers had been watching with amazement and horror the journey
+of the Commanding-officer; understanding as they did for the first time
+the strength of the great beast and afraid to interfere.
+
+Having placed his humble foe in his old position, only upon his back
+instead of upon his feet, the Elephant with his trunk deliberately
+knocked over all the Soldiers one after the other. Then he grunted and
+walked slowly away.
+
+So ended the reign of terror which the Officer and his Soldiers had
+established over the toy-shop. And so universal was the relief
+experienced after the strain that had been felt, that the Elephant was
+everywhere hailed as a Friend to the Public. Indeed, during the
+remainder of his stay in the shop, he was treated with greater respect
+and deference than any other toy,--Father Christmas only excepted,--and
+when he left at Christmas-time, the regret expressed was both loud and
+sincere.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+"I am a little bit sorry for the Officer," said the little girl. "He
+must have been a good deal hurt. And he must have felt very silly, too,"
+she added.
+
+"Almost worse than being hurt, isn't it?" said the little Marionette.
+"Yes, I was a little sorry for him myself; but I think he deserved all
+he got."
+
+"Yes; because he _was_ a horrid bully, wasn't he?" said the little girl.
+"And his men, too, were as bad as he. I always used to like
+toy-soldiers. I never shall again."
+
+"I should not like you to judge of all soldiers by the wooden ones I
+have told you of," said the Marionette. "We _have_ had in the shop sets
+of wooden and tin soldiers of the highest character; gallant fellows,
+beloved and esteemed by all. I will tell you of them to-morrow if you
+like."
+
+The little girl considered a moment.
+
+"I think," she said at length, "I would rather hear something quite
+different for a change. If you do not mind," she added politely.
+
+"Not in the least," replied the little lady. "I shall think of a story
+that shall have nothing to do with soldiers, good, bad, or indifferent."
+
+So on the morrow when they met again the Marionette said:
+
+"I have thought of quite a different sort of story to the one I told you
+yesterday."
+
+"Thank you," said her little friend. "Please begin."
+
+"Yes," she said as the little Marionette remained silent.
+"Yes--yes--_do_ begin!"
+
+"Patience, patience! I am just considering for a moment if I have the
+story correct in every respect. It is now some time since it happened,
+and one's memory is apt to play one tricks when one is telling stories
+of other people. But I think I remember it correctly. So I will begin
+without further delay the history of: 'The Little Dancer.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE DANCER
+
+
+There never was a prettier dancer than the Little Dancer of the frizzy
+dark hair, and the blue tulle dress with silver spangles.
+
+Forward, backward, forward, backward went her little feet with rapid,
+dainty movement, whilst the small musical-box--on the top of which she
+gracefully danced--tinkled, tinkled, tinkled out its gay little tune,
+and all the Toys watched her with the greatest delight.
+
+Truly she bewitched all who saw her, and gained much admiration. But she
+was very modest, and not at all conceited, so that she was not only
+admired but also loved; which, as you will agree, is far better.
+
+She took life very easily and happily, till it happened one day that she
+saw the Bicycle-man, and unfortunately fell in love with him as he went
+by. He was a very handsome fellow, and made a good appearance upon his
+bicycle.
+
+Directly the Little Dancer saw him she loved him, and she lost no time
+in telling him so. She spoke without any hesitation.
+
+"Dear heart, I love you," she said as she danced.
+
+Now the Bicycle-man was very vain, and was therefore not a little
+gratified at the impression he had made. But he pretended to be much
+displeased.
+
+"You should not have said that until I had first said something of the
+sort," replied the Bicycle-man. "It was not your place to speak first.
+You are very forward."
+
+And he rode on.
+
+The Little Dancer was much distressed.
+
+"He is angry," she said to her friend the Little China Doll next to her,
+with the two long flaxen pigtails hanging down her back.
+
+"He is angry." And she danced more slowly and less gaily.
+
+"What of that?" said her friend, tossing her head. "It is of no
+consequence."
+
+"No; it is of no consequence," repeated the Little Dancer. But she felt
+unhappy.
+
+The next day the Bicycle-man passed that way again, and she danced her
+very best, hoping to win his heart.
+
+"That is really not bad," he said; "not at all bad. You dance quite
+nicely, as dancing goes."
+
+"Oh sweetheart, I love you!" she said, encouraged by his praise.
+
+"I really cannot stand such remarks," said the Bicycle-man. "They make
+me both angry and confused."
+
+And he went on, leaving her in tears.
+
+"Why do you trouble about him?" said the Little China Doll. "He is not
+worth it. A penny Toy, indeed! You turn his head. Take no more notice of
+him."
+
+"I won't," replied the Little Dancer tearfully.
+
+So the next time he stopped to watch her dancing she did not speak to
+him.
+
+"You are getting rude now," he said. "I am not sure whether that is not
+worse than being forward."
+
+"What shall I say?" asked the Little Dancer. "My words do not please
+you."
+
+"I should not be displeased if you were to say 'good-day'," he replied.
+"It would only be polite, and I never find fault with politeness."
+
+"Good-day," she said, as she practised her steps.
+
+"Is that all?" he inquired.
+
+"That is all," she answered.
+
+"I have a bit of news for you," he said. "I am thinking of marrying the
+doll to whom the Red House belongs. It is a comfortable house, well
+built, and well appointed. You shall come and have tea with us."
+
+The Little Dancer burst into tears, and her feet moved more slowly.
+
+"Why are you crying?" asked the Bicycle-man, with pretended surprise.
+
+"Dear heart, Oh dear heart, I love you!" she wept.
+
+"Well, well, so do many others," he answered. "It isn't my fault"
+
+And mounting his bicycle he rode away.
+
+"Don't you see you are making him terribly conceited?" said the Little
+China Doll. "It is absurd of you. Try to be more sensible."
+
+"I love him so, I love him so!" sobbed the Little Dancer. "My heart is
+broken."
+
+On the morrow the Bicycle-man appeared as usual.
+
+"It is all settled," he said. "I hope to marry the doll to whom the Red
+House belongs, before the week is out. I fear my marriage will be a
+disappointment to many a lady."
+
+The Little Dancer made no reply: she was too heart-broken to utter a
+sound.
+
+"Are you not going to wish me happiness?" he asked.
+
+But the Little Dancer still spoke not. She danced faster and faster as
+the tears fell from her eyes.
+
+The Bicycle-man did not notice how quickly her tears were falling.
+
+"Your silence is a sad want of manners," he said. "Uncivility is far
+from attractive."
+
+Still the little Dancer made no answer; she could not speak, she was
+crying so bitterly.
+
+"Well, good-day," he said. "It is very evident that you did not pay the
+extra twopence for manners."
+
+Then he left.
+
+"Stop dancing," said the Little China Doll to the Little Dancer. "You
+are not in a fit state to dance. You will kill yourself."
+
+"I _must_ dance till I forget, or till I die," she answered--sobbing.
+
+And then she danced faster, _faster_, FASTER, till she went at quite a
+furious rate. Her little feet went to and fro so quickly you could
+hardly see them.
+
+The China Doll implored the poor Little Dancer to stop, but she did not
+heed her. She continued dancing, dancing, dancing all through the day,
+all through the evening, and far into the night. Till, at last,
+something within her went--_Snap_!
+
+And she fell flat on the ground, and the gay little tune stopped
+suddenly. The clockwork within her had broken. She had danced herself to
+death!
+
+The next morning the Bicycle-man came again.
+
+"The wedding is put off--" he began. Then he saw the lifeless form of
+the Little Dancer, and he turned pale.
+
+"You have killed her by your vanity," said the China Doll severely. "If
+you had stayed away she would have forgotten you. But you _would_ come
+because it pleased your conceit to hear her say she loved you, and to
+hear her lament because you did not love her. She has danced herself to
+death in her despair. Alas! Alas! My poor friend!"
+
+"I really believe I loved her after all," said the Bicycle-man in a sad
+voice. "What can I say or do to make some slight amends? Tell me."
+
+"There is nothing to be said or done," said the China Doll. "The poor
+Little Dancer is dead. It is too late! Go and marry the Doll of the Red
+House."
+
+"I don't want to _now_," he answered. "Henceforward my life shall be
+passed mourning for the Little Dancer who broke her heart because of me.
+And from this time I shall ride my bicycle sitting with my back to the
+handle, and with my hands behind me. It will be a most absurd position,
+but it will serve as a punishment to remind me of the sad end to which
+my vanity brought my poor little sweetheart."
+
+And he strictly kept his resolve. At first the other Toys laughed: then
+they wondered; then they inquired into the meaning of so strange a
+performance. And when they heard the story, such of them as had heads
+shook them, and all said gravely:
+
+"'Tis well and nobly meant. But it won't mend the poor Little Dancer's
+heart. Alas! Alack-a-day!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+When the tale was ended the little girl took out her handkerchief and
+wiped her eyes.
+
+"Come, this won't do," said the little Marionette. "I should not have
+told you the story if I had thought you were going to take it so much to
+heart."
+
+"I am very sorry for the poor Little Dancer," she replied sadly; "I wish
+that the Bicycle-man had not been so unkind."
+
+"Well, well, it is all over now. Wipe your eyes; you can't do any good
+by crying, and I don't like seeing tears," said her friend.
+
+"Never mind; I rather like feeling sad," Molly answered politely, though
+tearfully.
+
+"Still, a little sadness goes a long way," remarked the Marionette.
+"There is no doubt of that. I think I had better tell you something to
+amuse you now." She thought a moment and then she laughed.
+
+"What are you laughing at?" asked the little girl with curiosity.
+
+"At the remembrance of the Hansom-driver," she answered. "I never can
+think of him without laughing. Shall I tell you his story? I shall have
+time to do so this evening, for it is short, like the one I have just
+finished." And she began the story of: "The Hansom-driver."
+
+
+
+
+THE HANSOM DRIVER
+
+
+The Hansom-driver was indeed very plain, but he fancied himself very
+beautiful. 'Tis thus that we are liable to make errors of judgment;
+especially respecting ourselves.
+
+His cheeks were crimson and his nose was the same hue, yet he was quite
+convinced that all the young lady dolls envied him his complexion. His
+eyes were dull as lead, but in his boundless conceit he always compared
+them to sparkling diamonds.
+
+In a word, his appearance was terribly against him, yet his constant
+complaint was that he attracted so much attention, and won so much
+admiration wherever he went, that he could almost find it in his heart
+to wish he had been born ugly.
+
+His own looks were his constant topic of conversation, till at length
+the other Toys quaked when he opened his mouth, knowing very well how
+they were going to suffer.
+
+Amongst those who suffered the most from his talk were the Butcher, the
+Baker, and the Clown. They lived at the opposite side of the counter,
+where he drove every morning to give his orders for bread and meat. He
+never thought of driving away at once when he had done this, but always
+stopped to make remarks upon his own appearance; till at length, in
+common with the rest of the world, they became wearied to death of the
+subject. The Butcher and Baker tried to put a stop to it by making
+uncivil remarks, and the clown by making rude jests. But the conceit of
+the Hansom-driver still remained.
+
+One day when he was talking to his three acquaintances, the Butcher
+happened to remark on the beauty of the sunset-glow the previous
+evening.
+
+"Some people," said the Hansom-driver at once, "admire the beautiful
+glow of the sunset sky, some the beautiful glow of the healthy
+countenance. By the by, a chap I met yesterday told me my face was
+simply glowing with health."
+
+"Especially your nose, my pretty fellow," remarked the Clown.
+
+"From my brow to my chin, I am, I believe, suffused with the glow of a
+pretty color," replied the Hansom-driver. "Naturally it does not skip my
+nose. And very glad I am it does not; I should not like any feature to
+feel neglected or left out in the cold."
+
+"He becomes quite unbearable," whispered one lady doll to another.
+
+"Quite," she replied in the same tone.
+
+The Hansom-driver smiled as he saw them whisper. He did not doubt but
+that they were making some flattering remarks about himself.
+
+"Speak out, ladies," he said.
+
+But they turned away in silent anger.
+
+Most people would have been annoyed at this behavior. Not so the
+Hansom-driver. In his great vanity he completely misread their silence.
+
+"A compliment about me," he laughed. "Doubtless too great a one to be
+said aloud."
+
+"You needn't fancy _that_," said the Butcher rudely. "You hear a good
+many compliments, I don't deny, but they all come from the same
+source--your own block of a head. When you are absent you get few
+enough, that I know for a positive fact."
+
+"Not that there is anything surprising in it," the Baker said to the
+Hansom-driver in quite as rude a manner as the Butcher. "I am not yet
+aware that you are a subject for compliments."
+
+"'My face is my fortune, sir, he said'," misquoted the Hansom-driver
+with great conceit; "and a very handsome fortune, too," he added.
+
+"Your face!" exclaimed the Butcher. "Why, a sheep's face is more to be
+admired than yours."
+
+"I beg to differ," the Hansom-driver said, shaking his head. "I've never
+yet seen a really good-looking face amongst a flock of sheep."
+
+"So you actually think yours is good-looking?" sneered the Baker. "Why,
+I could make a better-looking one out of a piece of dough."
+
+"I defy you to," the Hansom-driver replied. "A face like mine is not
+easily copied. Nor am I the only person of that opinion. All the ladies
+think that I am beautiful. And of course I go by what they think."
+
+"And who," he asked, with a bow towards a little group of lady dolls,
+"who can be better judges of the matter?"
+
+"Do you think they consider you good-looking?" inquired the Clown. "Get
+along, you dreamer!"
+
+"I do not think it, I know it," he replied.
+
+"We don't," said the Butcher and the Baker. "Put it to the proof. We
+challenge you. Let the ladies vote upon the matter and they will prove
+you mistaken."
+
+"Very well," answered the Hansom-driver. "The result will be favorable
+to me. Of that I have no doubt."
+
+"All right! To business," said the Butcher. "What about the ladies'
+decision as to this fellow's claim of beauty?"
+
+"Ay; when shall it be given?" inquired the Hansom-driver, anxious to
+lose no time.
+
+"In a fortnight at the earliest," said the Clown. "The making up of
+ladies' minds, as of Christmas puddings, requires plenty of thought and
+preparation."
+
+"Good!" said the Hansom-driver. Then he got up upon the seat of his
+hansom, whipped up his horse, and drove off.
+
+Now, during the fortnight he was, if possible, more conceited than ever.
+He never ceased making vain speeches respecting his looks, and could
+indeed be induced to speak of nothing else.
+
+"I have not the slightest fear as to the ladies' decision," he
+boastfully remarked.
+
+"When I look in the glass I see how impossible it is that they should
+have anything but one opinion. By the by, a most curious little incident
+occurred last night. I was sauntering about my end of the counter, when
+the white Polar Bear walked right up against me. 'Hulloa!' I said, 'look
+out where you are going.' 'I beg your pardon, I'm sure,' said he; 'It
+was a little mistake. I was trying to find my way home, and catching
+sight of your right eye, mistook it for the Polar Star and guided myself
+by its light.' 'Very flattering,' I said, 'but I'd prefer you not to
+tread on my toes.' Strange, wasn't it?"
+
+"Most strange!" the Butcher jeered. "The Polar Bear has never been able
+to see clearly since the shopwoman's baby poked out both his eyes. Your
+story is a little far-fetched, my good chap."
+
+"Oh, what a surprise!" laughed the Clown, as the Hansom-driver, unable
+to avoid looking a little silly, turned his head aside and pretended to
+sneeze.
+
+"I've a piece of news for you," said the Baker; "another surprise. The
+ladies have made up their minds already. Instead of a fortnight they
+have only taken a week to decide. They have but one opinion, and the
+Clown has been instructed to deliver it to you to-morrow morning when
+you come to give your orders. I may warn you that you will find a great
+crowd of Toys waiting to hear it."
+
+"Let come who will," vaunted the Hansom-driver. "_I_ fear no crowd. The
+more Toys to witness my moment of triumph, the better."
+
+And it was in this frame of mind that, on the following morning, he
+drove to the Butcher's shop, outside of which a large crowd was
+gathered.
+
+"Well," he said with a smile to the Clown who headed the crowd; "well,
+and what is the ladies' opinion about my beauty?"
+
+"The ladies have decided," said the Clown, nodding his head and speaking
+very rapidly, "the ladies have all decided--mind you, _all_
+decided--that you _are_ a hansom man. And so say I."
+
+The Hansom-driver climbed down from his seat.
+
+"Shake hands," he said. "One doesn't find a fellow of sense like you
+every day."
+
+The Clown shook hands, then turned a somersault and grinned from ear to
+ear.
+
+"Handsome," he said slowly, "but _without_ the _d_ and the _e_. Mark
+that, my child. No _beauty, but a hansom man_. Ho-la! What's the time
+of day? Time to go away?"
+
+For the Hansom-driver had mounted to his seat, and, whipping up his
+horse, was driving off as fast as he could.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+"That was very funny," said the little girl; "it made me laugh very
+much."
+
+"It made all the Toys laugh," said the Marionette--"except the
+Hansom-driver himself. And, perhaps, he might be excused for not doing
+so."
+
+"He _was_ a vain thing," said the little girl.
+
+"He was," the Marionette agreed. "However, we must not be too severe on
+him. He had his good points after all. He was not bad-tempered, for
+example, like poor Claribelle, who at one time was quite unbearable, and
+made herself disliked by everyone. Though in the end, poor creature, she
+became, it is true, an altered character."
+
+"'Poor Claribelle!' Who was she?"
+
+"A young lady doll whose bad temper, unfortunately for her, brought her
+great sorrow.
+
+"I should like to hear about her," said the little girl.
+
+The little Marionette mused a moment. "I should not do wrong to tell
+you," she remarked. "The story of this poor, proud creature may perhaps
+serve as a lesson and warning to some other haughty and fanciful young
+lady. Yes, you shall hear to-morrow evening of Claribelle." And so the
+next evening, in a grave voice that befitted the tale, she told the
+story of "Proud Claribelle."
+
+
+
+
+PROUD CLARIBELLE
+
+
+Claribelle was a very haughty doll. She was very beautiful, with great
+brown eyes and a mass of dark hair that fell to her waist. She had fine
+clothes, too; a pink silk dress, a large straw hat trimmed with lace and
+pink roses, pink silk stockings and bronze shoes, and round her neck a
+string of pearls, which were the envy of every lady doll in the
+toy-shop.
+
+She held her head very high indeed, and would not speak to this doll
+because it was "frumpish," or that doll because it was not in the same
+set as herself. The China Doll she really could not be on intimate terms
+with, because she had a crack across her cheek. Fancy being seen walking
+with a cracky person! Also, she must really decline being introduced to
+the Farthing Doll. A very good, worthy person, no doubt, but really she
+and a doll worth a farthing could not possibly have many tastes in
+common.
+
+As to the Rag Doll, she was a pushing person. At a tea-party at which
+they had both been present, she had asked Claribelle if she didn't think
+that skirts were fuller. To think of discussing clothes with a creature
+of rags! The idea was really too comical!
+
+It was thus, and in this proud spirit, that Claribelle talked about the
+other and more modest Toys. There were, indeed, very few that she would
+take the slightest notice of. As a matter of fact, when she walked down
+the counter she held her nose so much in the air that it was very rarely
+she saw anyone. She did not care in the least whether she trod on other
+people's toes or not.
+
+From this you will easily understand that she was a Toy who gained more
+admiration than love. There was, however, one who was truly devoted to
+Claribelle. This was the Driver of the Wagon, who was always of the
+opinion that beneath her haughty manner lay a kind heart. They were
+engaged to be married, and with true affection he often spoke to her
+about her haughty manner to the other Toys.
+
+On such occasions Claribelle tossed her head and flew into a passion,
+often sulking for hours afterwards. Yet, although she so sorely tried
+the Driver's patience, he continued to love her. And when all other
+means had failed he would often sing her back to good temper, for he had
+a beautiful tenor voice.
+
+He was a little proud of his voice, and used to practise every night,
+partly because he loved music, also because he delighted to show his
+devotion to Claribelle by singing her little love-songs in a
+well-trained manner.
+
+He was of a kindly, genial nature, so that you would have thought it was
+hardly possible to quarrel with him. But Claribelle's pride not seldom
+caused a dispute between them, and she would often start a heated
+argument without any reason.
+
+It was thus one day that a quarrel arose which ended in the most serious
+manner.
+
+They were out driving in the Wagon, when the Driver, remembering he owed
+a call on the Farthing Doll, proposed that he and Claribelle should go
+thither.
+
+"What!" she exclaimed haughtily. "Pay a call on that Farthing creature!
+_Certainly_ not!"
+
+"I, at least, must go, sooner or later," the Driver replied.
+
+"Why?" she asked much displeased.
+
+"Because did I not call," answered he kindly but firmly, "I should be
+lacking in courtesy to a lady who has never shown me anything but the
+utmost civility. However, since you do not wish it, I will not go
+to-day."
+
+"I do not wish you to go at all," she said. "But I see it is quite
+sufficient for me to say that I do not desire you to do a thing, for you
+to do it."
+
+And after this she sulked and said she did not love him.
+
+Upon this the Driver bethought him a new song he had just learnt, and he
+determined to sing it in the hope of winning her back to good temper. So
+he began:
+
+    "'Oh, down in Alabama, before I was set free,
+    I loved a dark-eyed, yaller girl,
+    And thought--'"
+
+But he got no further, for here Claribelle interrupted him.
+
+"Does that apply to _me_?" she said with flashing eyes.
+
+"Well, you _have_ dark eyes, you know," he said pleasantly, hoping to
+make her smile. "Beautiful dark eyes, too."
+
+"Stop the wagon!" she said furiously. "I will not be so insulted. Dark
+eyes, yes; but yaller! yaller! yaller!"
+
+"Allow me to explain. I only--" began the Driver.
+
+"_Yaller_, indeed! Stop the Wagon!"
+
+"I should like to say--"
+
+"A dark-eyed, _yaller_ girl! Stop the Wagon,--and consider our
+engagement at an end."
+
+"_Will_ you let me--"
+
+But Claribelle shook her head furiously, and in her rage tried to jump
+out of the Wagon. So the Driver, fearing she would break her neck, did
+as she requested and pulled up his horse, when she immediately alighted.
+Then she swept away, flouncing her pink silk dress, and with her head in
+the air.
+
+The Driver called later and tried to pacify her, but she would not
+listen. She only turned her back upon him--which was a very rude thing
+to do--and persisted in saying that their engagement was at an end.
+
+So the Wagoner whipped up his horse and went away sad and sorry. He
+looked, indeed, so sad that the haughty Claribelle nearly repented of
+her pride and was just about to call him back.
+
+"But he'll return to-morrow," she said to herself, "and he must be
+taught not to make false remarks about my complexion. Fancy calling me
+'yaller!'"
+
+The next day he came as she expected.
+
+"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked scornfully.
+
+"Let bygones be bygones," said he. "Besides, I never called you yaller."
+
+"Our engagement is ended," she said.
+
+"Claribelle," he said kindly but firmly, "listen to what I say. If you
+do not tame your proud temper, you will one day bring sorrow upon
+yourself." Then he left, wounded and displeased.
+
+The next day he came again.
+
+"I may be going away," he said, "to the other side of the shop, to the
+opposite counter."
+
+"Do I still look yaller?" Claribelle asked, tossing her head.
+
+"Aren't you sorry I am going?" he replied.
+
+"I haven't time to think of trifles," she said haughtily.
+
+"Cruel Claribelle," he said. "I shall not send you a letter, not even a
+post-card."
+
+"Letters are dull," she said coldly, "and post-cards are vulgar."
+
+"You will repent of this some day," he replied. And he turned and went
+away in anger.
+
+On the morrow he came once more.
+
+"I have come to say good-bye," he said.
+
+"Oh!" she replied; but not a word more.
+
+"Aren't you sorry?" he asked again.
+
+"Yes," she replied, "because the Farthing Doll put her foot on my dress
+this morning in passing me, and tore it. She is a clumsy thing."
+
+"You are trying my patience too far," he said. "Proud Claribelle,
+beware! Beware, proud Claribelle!"
+
+"You confirm me in my resolution," said she. "I will never marry a Toy
+who gives way to his temper over nothing. Once for all, our engagement
+is at an end."
+
+"I cannot believe that," he said. "Do you really mean it?"
+
+"Certainly," she answered.
+
+"So be it," he replied.
+
+Then he got up from his chair with dignity, made a low bow, mounted his
+Wagon, and drove away.
+
+"I almost wish I had not said that," thought the haughty Beauty
+uneasily. "I never meant him to go away so soon. If he had stayed I
+should, perhaps, have altered my mind. I will tell him so when he comes
+to-morrow."
+
+But next day he did not come. Then a few tears fell from Claribelle's
+haughty eyes. Nor did he come on the next, and then she shed more. Nor
+on the following day; nor the day after that, nor the day after
+_that_,--nor ever again! And each day poor Claribelle wept more and
+more, till it was sad to see her.
+
+At last she heard the Wagoner had left the toy-shop altogether, and she
+knew she should never see him again. And she cried, and cried, and
+cried, till she cried away every bit of pride in her nature! Indeed,
+from being the proudest Toy in the shop she became the meekest and
+gentlest--kind and thoughtful to all.
+
+So the other Toys would often remark one to the other with surprise and
+pleasure:
+
+"Lo! how poor Claribelle hath been chastened by sorrow!"
+
+"Poor, _poor_ Claribelle! I _am_ sorry for her!" said the little girl.
+
+"She had, indeed, a severe lesson," answered the little Marionette.
+
+"And did the Wagoner ever come back?"
+
+"Never, never. He loved, but drove away."
+
+"How sad!" sighed the little girl.
+
+"Sad, indeed," said the Marionette. "Well, as I always say, let all
+young ladies take warning by the story of Proud Claribelle, and then it
+will not have been told in vain."
+
+There was a pause.
+
+Then the little girl said:
+
+"Next time you tell me a story I should like it to be happy all through.
+Happy, you know, from beginning to end."
+
+The little Marionette thought a few moments, then shook her head.
+
+"I can't remember such a story," she said. "I think there must be very
+few."
+
+"I am sorry for that," answered the little girl, disappointed. "I wanted
+very much to hear one."
+
+"We must take things as they are," said the little lady cheerfully. "If
+I don't know many stories that are happy all the way through, I know
+plenty that are so at the beginning, or the middle, or the end; or even
+more than that."
+
+"Which do you like best?" said the little girl.
+
+"Oh, stories with a happy ending! You can forget that the beginning or
+middle has been sad, and you can go away smiling."
+
+"Then tell me to-morrow a story that ends happily."
+
+"If you will," said the little Marionette.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+On the morrow, when the two met as usual, the Marionette said to the
+little girl:
+
+"Good evening. I have thought of a story that will please you."
+
+"Then I suppose it ends most happily, doesn't it?" asked Molly.
+
+"Quite right," she replied. "I am going to tell you one that ends as
+happily as you could wish it to. You will, I am sure, be quite satisfied
+with the conclusion of: 'The Grocer and the Farthing Doll.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE GROCER AND THE FARTHING DOLL
+
+
+Never was there a love affair more perplexing than the love affair of
+the Grocer and the Farthing Doll. It puzzled the whole toy-shop; it even
+puzzled the two lovers themselves.
+
+The affair was rather difficult to understand, but I will try to explain
+it to you as simply as I can.
+
+Everyone knew that the Grocer and the Farthing Doll loved each other;
+the Grocer knew he loved the Farthing Doll, but he did not know that she
+loved him; the Farthing Doll knew that she loved the Grocer, but she
+didn't know if he loved her.
+
+So everything was at a stand-still, and none of the other dolls knew how
+to bring the matter to a happy end. No one quite liked to interfere. And
+for these reasons: The Grocer was very proud and would take no advice,
+whilst the Farthing Doll was so sensitive that a single wrong word might
+cause her a serious illness. Again, the Grocer wouldn't ask the Farthing
+Doll to marry him because, being a proud Toy, he feared the humiliation
+of her saying "No." She, on her part, would not say much to help him,
+lest it should look as if she were forward.
+
+It was thus that matters stood, when, walking along the counter one day,
+the Farthing Doll met the Grocer sauntering by with a sad face.
+
+"Well!" she exclaimed, with a start of surprise. "Fancy seeing you
+here!"
+
+"My shop is close by," he answered. "Don't you remember?"
+
+"To be sure," she said. "How odd of me to forget."
+
+"I'm very pleased to see you," said the Grocer.
+
+"I am glad of that, for I have every wish to please you," said the
+Farthing Doll.
+
+"Is that satisfactory?" he asked.
+
+"It ought to be," she replied.
+
+"I don't know," the Grocer said. "You may wish to please, without
+loving. For instance, you may try to please a turkey by giving him the
+best of grain. But that is not because you love him. It is merely
+because you wish to fatten him well for your Christmas dinner."
+
+"Good-morning!" said the Farthing Doll coldly.
+
+"Stay!" the Grocer cried. "I have an idea. We appear to have some
+difficulty in finding out the Truth. Let us go and hunt for it."
+
+"Where is it to be found?" she asked.
+
+"At the bottom of a Well, so I've heard."
+
+"Then I suppose the first thing is to find the Well."
+
+"Exactly so," he said. "Come, let us start." So they walked away hand in
+hand. They hunted all up and down the counter, and asked directions of
+many dolls. But never a Well could they find.
+
+"See!" exclaimed the Farthing Doll at last; "here's a square thing that
+looks something like a Well. Go, open it and look down."
+
+"What may be inside, though?" he said cautiously.
+
+"Truth, Truth, you silly thing!" she said impatiently. "Go!"
+
+So he went and opened the lid.
+
+But it was not a Well at all. It was merely the abode of
+Jack-in-the-box, and when the Grocer looked in Jack jumped out. He
+jumped up so suddenly that he knocked the Grocer flat on his back.
+
+The poor fellow got up and rubbed his head.
+
+"One gets very hard blows sometimes in the search for Truth," he said
+ruefully.
+
+"You shouldn't be in such a hurry," remarked Jack-in-the-box. "Take
+things more calmly, and ask the Policeman. Kindly shut up the lid of my
+box. I can't very well manage it myself, I'm so springy. Close it
+firmly, please, or I shall be jumping out again, and I don't want to do
+that. I wish to stay indoors to-day as much as possible, for I have a
+heavy cold in my head and am sneezing every two minutes."
+
+"_That_ didn't do much good," said the Grocer when he had done as he was
+asked, and closed the lid of Jack's box.
+
+"Let us find the Policeman," she said, holding out her hand.
+
+"An excellent idea," he replied as he took it. "There he is, just
+outside that dolls' house.
+
+"Constable," he said, "can you direct us to the Well with Truth at the
+bottom?"
+
+"First to the right, second to the left, and keep on till you come to
+it," the policeman answered, without removing his eyes from the kitchen
+window.
+
+"Not that I ever heard tell of any such Well," he added, putting his
+head inside and speaking to the Little China Doll within.
+
+"Then you're a deceiver," she said severely, as she handed him a joint
+of beef tightly gummed on to a wooden platter.
+
+"You're sure to arrive at anything if you keep on till you get it," he
+answered carelessly. "So it doesn't really matter if you take the first
+to the right and the second to the left, or the second to the right and
+the first to the left. You are bound to get there in time.... This beef
+is gummed so tightly to the dish that it is a job to get it off...."
+
+In the meantime the Grocer and the Farthing Doll were wandering about
+trying to find the Well. They sought for a long time, but they could not
+see a sign of it.
+
+"We'll never find it," she said in despair. "And I am growing so tired I
+am beginning to lose all my good looks. All the crimson is wearing off
+my cheeks."
+
+"Come, come, my dear, we won't give up yet," he said. "Console
+yourself; I believe many others have been in the same plight before us."
+
+"I don't mind if they have," she said, tired and impatient.
+
+Now the Grocer was a man of quick intellect. His thoughts were not
+solely given to the selling of raisins, currants, flour, rice and other
+groceries. As the Farthing Doll spoke, a very clever idea came into his
+head.
+
+"Wait!" he said thoughtfully. "Your last remark has given me a new idea.
+You mentioned the word _mind_! Mind,--mind,--mind. Yes,--now why should
+we not give up seeking for truth in a Well, and try to find it in our
+minds?"
+
+"Have we got them?" she asked doubtfully.
+
+"I think so," he replied.
+
+"Then where are they kept?"
+
+He pondered.
+
+"In our heads, I imagine," he said.
+
+And tapping his forehead to help out his thought he remarked.
+
+"Let us begin. Here is my first question: Do you approve of marriages
+with Grocers?"
+
+"Before I answer," said the Farthing Doll cautiously, "I should like to
+hear if you approve of marriages with Farthing Dolls? Some people
+don't."
+
+"Ladies first. It is your place to reply to me before I reply to you."
+
+"I prefer the last word; you may have the first."
+
+"It is all very well to expect me to answer you, but supposing _I_ said
+'Yes' and _you_ said 'No,' fancy how my pride would suffer!"
+
+"But supposing I said 'Yes' and you said 'No,' picture to yourself what
+my feelings would be. I should not recover from the blow."
+
+"We have got ourselves into a difficult position," said the Grocer. "Let
+us start afresh. If I wrote you a letter, how would you answer it?"
+
+"As I thought best," she said. "But tell me how would you write it?"
+
+"As I thought fit," he replied. "What would your 'best' be?"
+
+"That would depend on your 'fit'," she answered.
+
+The Grocer sighed and knit his brows.
+
+"It seems very difficult to come to an understanding with you," he said.
+
+And then they were both silent for a long while. As a matter of fact,
+this was because they were both so depressed that they could think of
+nothing further to say.
+
+The Farthing Doll was the first to break the silence.
+
+"Perhaps," she said sadly, "we had better start looking for that Well
+again. The Policeman told us that if we kept on we should come to it."
+
+"I am not sure that I trust the Policeman," he answered. "It struck me
+that he wished, unobserved, to enjoy some food from the dolls' house
+kitchen. He wanted to get rid of us."
+
+"What is to be done then?" she asked.
+
+The Grocer thought for a long while. Then he spoke again.
+
+"I have another idea," he remarked. "Let us look for Truth not in the
+Well, nor in our Minds, but in our Hearts. Do you agree?"
+
+"Yes, I do," she said. "But how shall we set about it?"
+
+"Let our Hearts speak," he replied.
+
+After this they were silent for a moment or two. Then the Grocer and
+the Farthing Doll clasped each other's hands and spoke at the same
+moment.
+
+    "My Heart's Dearest, I love you," said he.
+    "You are my Best Beloved," said she.
+
+So the matter ended happily, to their own joy and to the joy of the
+whole toy-shop.
+
+And these two lovers found Truth at last: not in the bottom of a Well,
+but in the depths of their own Hearts.
+
+And they married and were happy ever after.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"That was a nice ending," remarked the little girl. "I like it."
+
+"Yes; very satisfactory, wasn't it?" said the little lady.
+
+"How will the next story end, happily or sadly?"
+
+"I haven't thought of it yet. You shall know to-morrow."
+
+"I think I must go now," said the little girl. "I promised my little
+cousin to have a game of nine-pins with her before bed-time."
+
+"Wait," said the Marionette. "I have something to tell you. I think
+to-morrow evening will be the last time I shall be able to speak with
+you. My power of talking to a Mortal is going; it will not last after
+our next meeting."
+
+"Oh, I _am_ sorry!" exclaimed the little girl. "I do not leave till two
+days after to-morrow, and I thought that you would be able to go on
+telling me stories up to the very last evening."
+
+The little Marionette shook her head.
+
+"It will be impossible," said she.
+
+"And after to-morrow we shall not be able to talk to each other any
+more," exclaimed the little girl. "Oh, how sad!"
+
+"Never mind, even if we cannot talk we can remain good friends. The
+deepest friendship is often the quietest."
+
+"Then we can be very great friends indeed," said the little girl with
+much affection. "I am so glad, dear!"
+
+"I am going out to-morrow afternoon to see the pantomime, but I shall
+come here as early as I can," she added as she went away. "Don't you be
+late."
+
+"No, I won't," answered the Marionette.
+
+"Remember!"
+
+"Yes, I'll remember."
+
+"_How_ will you remember?"
+
+"I'll tie a knot in my hair, so that when I brush it I shall feel that
+there is something to recollect."
+
+"That's a good idea," said the little girl, and ran away in content.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their
+meeting-place by the Noah's Ark.
+
+But the little Marionette was not to be found.
+
+"This is too bad of her!" said the little girl. "Our last time! And
+after she has promised not to be late!"
+
+Tears rose to her eyes.
+
+"I am very much disappointed," said she as she walked up and down the
+shop looking for her friend.
+
+"I shall never find her.... Why, _there_ she is!" she exclaimed
+suddenly.
+
+And she hurried up to the little Marionette, who, half-concealed by a
+big Drum, lay on the ground beside a Puzzle.
+
+"You are not very kind," remarked the little girl reproachfully. "I
+asked you to be early, and you never came at all."
+
+"I am very sorry," answered the little Marionette in a tired voice.
+
+Then she sat up, and the little girl saw with much sorrow and surprise
+that she was quite disfigured. Her nose was broken, her eyes were
+crooked, and her face was quite knocked about. All the little girl's
+annoyance vanished, and her heart was full of pity.
+
+"Oh, you poor dear little dolly!" she cried; "what _has_ happened to
+you?"
+
+"I have hurt myself," was the answer. "I tripped up over this Puzzle."
+
+"I am sorry. Are you very badly hurt?" asked her little friend with
+pity.
+
+"Never mind me. I promised to tell you one more story, and I shall do
+so," answered the little Marionette.
+
+She spoke very sadly, and the little girl picked her up and kissed her.
+
+"Would you not like to put off telling me a story to-day?" she asked.
+
+"No. I should like to do so," the Marionette answered, "for it is our
+last meeting. Put me back on the counter and I will tell it to you."
+
+"Shall I put you back where I found you?"
+
+"No, take me back to our old place. I am tired of this Puzzle."
+
+So the little girl took her to the Noah's Ark, and placed her with her
+back to it.
+
+"What is your story about, dear?" the little girl asked, drawing her
+chair close to the counter, and bending her head close to the little
+Marionette, the better to hear her small voice--weaker and more tiny
+that evening than usual.
+
+"About a little Marionette like myself, whose best and dearest friend
+left her and thought she didn't mind. And all the while she minded so
+very much! More than she knew how to say!"
+
+"Poor little Marionette!" said Molly.
+
+"It _was_ sad, for it was only a mistake, wasn't it?" said the little
+Marionette lady with a sigh. "But you shall hear all about it. Listen
+whilst I tell you the story of: 'The Last Performance.'"
+
+
+
+
+THE LAST PERFORMANCE
+
+
+The two little Marionette dolls had just finished their dance before an
+admiring throng of Toys, and the curtain had, that moment, fallen upon
+their last performance.
+
+"So now," sighed the little lady Marionette to her partner; "so now the
+play is over. We shall never act together again. I heard the woman who
+owned the shop say that she was going to separate us, and sell us as
+ordinary Toys. She said there was so little demand for Marionettes
+nowadays.... But you heard that as well as I, didn't you?"
+
+"Yes, I heard," he answered. "And more, too. She said she was going to
+send me away with some other Toys to a Christmas-tree. So that it will
+be good-bye for a long while."
+
+The little lady Marionette patted the paniers of her pretty brocade
+dress and remained silent.
+
+"You don't mind that, do you?" her partner said. "I thought you
+wouldn't."
+
+"I do mind," she answered at last.
+
+"Yes; very much I am sure," he said.
+
+"You hurt my feelings," she replied.
+
+"I wouldn't do that for the whole world--not for ten worlds," he
+answered.
+
+She smiled.
+
+"Oh, you smile!" he said. "Then you do not mind very much after all."
+
+"I smile because it makes me happy to hear you speak kindly to me
+again," she answered.
+
+But her answer did not please him.
+
+"You smile at everything," he said "Nothing troubles you much."
+
+"It troubles me that you should be going away; away from me into the
+wide world," she said.
+
+"It will trouble you for half an hour, not longer," said he. "Only half
+an hour, that's all. I must leave you now."
+
+"Don't," said she. "_Stay._"
+
+"I can't," said he. "Good-bye."
+
+And he went straight away without another word.
+
+"He does not know how dear he is to my heart or he would not leave me
+so," said the little Marionette to herself after he had left.
+
+Then she threw herself down on the counter and cried as if her heart
+were breaking. She threw herself down so violently that she broke her
+nose and knocked her eyes awry. But she was too miserable to care. She
+lay still and cried on.
+
+At last a friend of hers came along--a friend who was a Doll of common
+sense and practical ways.
+
+"What is all this about?" she asked. "Why are you crying?"
+
+"Because half an hour may last for so long," wept the little Marionette.
+
+"You are talking nonsense," she replied contemptuously. "Everybody knows
+that half an hour can only last thirty minutes."
+
+"Not always. It may sometimes last a whole year--many years."
+
+"Tut, tut!" replied the common-sense Doll; "you have no reasoning power.
+That I can see by your face. Still, if I can help you I will. What would
+you have me do?"
+
+"Give me back my dream," said the Marionette. Then she covered her face
+with her hands and gave a great sigh.
+
+The common-sense Doll looked even more practical than before.
+
+"That is it, is it?" she said. "A morbid longing after a Dream. I begin
+to understand. Nerves,--indigestion,--too many sweet things,--I fear I
+cannot, then, be of much assistance. However, the General of the Tin
+Soldiers has a wonderful turn for doctoring, quite a natural gift. I
+will send him to you. He may be able to do you some good."
+
+So she went on her way, and the little Marionette was once more alone
+with her sorrow and regret.
+
+By and by, however, the General of the Tin Soldiers trotted up on his
+handsome black charger, and reined in before her.
+
+"My dear little lady," he said kindly, if pompously, "in what pitiful
+condition do I find you? Come, come, tell an old soldier, who has been
+through much himself, all about it." And, as she did not at once answer:
+"Well," he continued good-naturedly, "never mind. Do not trouble to
+speak, I will prescribe for you. I recognize your complaint, and have
+already treated with much success a large number of my Tin Soldiers
+suffering in the same way. This, then, is my prescription for your
+malady: plenty of fresh air; exercise in moderation; early hours and
+plain diet. But don't let your diet become monotonous. For example, a
+rice pudding one day, sago the next, tapioca the third. And a little
+gentle amusement every now and then to keep up your spirits; Christy
+Minstrels; a pleasant, little musical gathering of friends; and so on.
+Finally, a powerful tonic to put a little more color into those poor
+little cheeks. Kindly permit me to feel your pulse."
+
+And so saying the General bent from his saddle and courteously took the
+little Marionette's hand. Then, looking much alarmed, "_Galloping,
+galloping!_" he exclaimed, "I must do likewise, and order you a tonic at
+the nearest chemist's without delay."
+
+And putting spurs into his horse he rode away hurriedly.
+
+"All that won't do me any good," said the little Marionette aloud. "I
+don't want that."
+
+"What do I want?" she sighed.
+
+"A jest, my good creature," said a voice near her, and looking up she
+saw the Clown with his hands in his pockets dancing a double-shuffle in
+front of her.
+
+"A jest," he repeated. Then as he danced and shook the bells on his cap,
+he chanted in time to the movement of his feet--
+
+    "Broken nose and crooked eyes,
+    Broken heart and mournful sighs,--
+    Life's a jest for a' that."
+
+"No, it isn't; not to me," answered the little Marionette very sadly.
+
+"It will be, by and by," he said cheerfully.
+
+"No; not to me," she repeated.
+
+The Clown looked at her with sympathy.
+
+"Shall I tell you a good story?" he asked. "Quite one of my best?"
+
+"You are very kind," said the little Marionette. "I think, though, I
+would rather hear it another time, if you do not mind."
+
+"Not at all," answered the Clown as he danced away, jingling his bells
+as he went. "_I_ don't mind, I'm not easily hurt. But take my advice, if
+the situation is not a jest in itself make a jest dove-tail into the
+situation. Good-bye, my little friend. Cheer up."
+
+"Cheer up!" repeated the little lady. "But it is not easy. I shall have
+to wait until the half-hour is over before I can do that."
+
+After this she lay on the counter quietly, without taking notice of
+anything or anyone. And the other Toys, seeing she wished to be left to
+herself, did not disturb her.
+
+By and by, the time when the Toys are able to talk and move about passed
+by, and they all became still once more: just as you are accustomed to
+see them. And people passed in and out, and to and fro, but the little
+lady Marionette lay unobserved--alone and unhappy in her corner of the
+counter.
+
+"The half-hour is very long," she said. "Will it ever end? My heart is
+very heavy...."
+
+The little Marionette made a long pause.
+
+"Go on, if you please," said the little girl.
+
+But the little lady remained silent.
+
+"_Do_ go on," repeated her small friend.
+
+Yet she never answered.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" asked the little girl impatiently.
+
+She looked closely at the Marionette as she spoke.
+
+Why, were those tears she saw, or was it only the light shining upon
+the little lady's glass eyes? Glass eyes shine very easily, it is true.
+Still, supposing she _were_ crying and wanted to be comforted? She would
+ask her.
+
+"You are not crying, dear, are you?" said the little girl.
+
+The little Marionette gave a great sigh.
+
+"Perhaps," she replied gently.
+
+"What is it about?" asked the little girl with much sympathy.
+
+Then all at once she understood.
+
+"I believe," she exclaimed, "you have been telling me a story about
+yourself! It all happened to you to-day, while I was away, didn't it?"
+
+The little lady rubbed two tiny wax hands across her two glass eyes.
+"You have guessed rightly," she said in a little faltering voice.
+
+"Oh, I am sorry!" said her little friend with great sympathy. "I have
+been out all the afternoon, so I never heard Auntie say she was going to
+send you and your partner away from each other. And fancy his going away
+and leaving you as he did! You poor little thing, how I _wish_ I could
+do something to make you happier!"
+
+Molly thought a moment. "I know!" she exclaimed; "you shall belong to
+me, my dear. I shall ask Auntie to give you to me, and you shall be my
+very own dolly!"
+
+"Come with me, darling," she continued, hugging the little Marionette
+tightly, "and I will sing you to sleep in Auntie's big rocking-chair. I
+will make up a nice song all by myself and all about you. You will see
+then how much I love you, and you won't cry any more. When you wake up
+you will feel happier again."
+
+And going into the room at the back of the shop, she drew a
+rocking-chair near the cheerful blaze of the bright fire and sat down,
+still clasping the little Marionette in her arms.
+
+At first she rocked to and fro silently, and with a thoughtful
+expression. Presently she gave a sudden jerk to the rocking-chair, and
+sung in a shrill sweet voice, and with some energy--
+
+    "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_,
+    Your poor nose is broken, your eyes are awry,
+    But I'll love you and kiss you, so you must just try
+    Not to cry, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_."
+
+"Lullaby," she said more gently, and kissed her fondly. Then she began
+afresh, but more softly and soothingly--
+
+    "Lulla_by_, little dolly, lulla_by_, lulla_by_,
+    You know you are ugly and rather a guy,
+    But my arms are around you, so why should you sigh?
+    Just you sleep, little dolly,--lulla_by_, lulla_by_."
+
+"Lullaby," she whispered, and kissed her again very tenderly.
+
+"This is not poetry, only rhyme, and not very flattering rhyme either,"
+murmured the little Marionette. "But if it is not poetry it is love....
+And it brings comfort to my sore heart, which the reasoning, and the
+doctoring, and the jesting could not do...."
+
+She whispered something more, but very weakly. Her power of talking to a
+Mortal had all but left her, and the child had to put her head quite
+close to the little lady so as to be able to catch what she said.
+
+"Let me always stay with you," the little Marionette just managed to
+whisper.
+
+"Always, dear," said her little friend.
+
+And then the little lady fell asleep quite happily. That at least was
+what the little girl thought. And if _she_ thought so _we_ might as well
+think the same.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+"You want me to give you that little Marionette?" said the owner of the
+toy-shop to the little girl that same evening. "Very well, Molly, you
+shall have her."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Auntie!" replied her little niece with much gratitude.
+
+"There is not very much to thank me for," remarked her aunt. "She is not
+worth anything now. I can't imagine," she added, "how it is that she has
+got so knocked about."
+
+Now the little girl had no need to imagine it, for she knew. But she
+kept her knowledge to herself, fearing that if she told her Aunt what
+had happened she would be laughed at as a fanciful child.
+
+But we should not have laughed at her,--should we? There would have been
+no fancy at out the matter for us. For _we_ know that the Toy World is a
+very real World indeed!
+
+
+
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Altemus' New Illustrated
+
+YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARY
+
+A new series of choice literature for children, selected from the best
+and most popular works. Handsomely printed on fine paper from large
+type, with numerous colored illustrations and black and white
+engravings, by the most famous artists, making the handsomest and most
+attractive series of juvenile classics before the public.
+
+Fine English cloth, handsome new original designs, 40 cents each.
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE. 70 illustrations.
+
+ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. 42 illustrations.
+
+THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE. 50 illustrations.
+
+BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 46 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S STORY OF THE BIBLE. 72 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST. 49 illustrations.
+
+AESOP'S FABLES. 62 illustrations.
+
+SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. 50 illustrations.
+
+EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE IN AFRICA. 80 illustrations.
+
+GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 50 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES, JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES. 234 illustrations.
+
+THE STORY OF THE FROZEN SEAS. 70 illustrations.
+
+WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 80 illustrations.
+
+BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell. 50 illustrations.
+
+ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. 130 illustrations.
+
+ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES. 75 illustrations.
+
+GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES. 50 illustrations.
+
+FLOWER FABLES. By Louisa M. Alcott. 50 illustrations.
+
+AUNT MARTHA'S CORNER CUPBOARD. By Mary and Elizabeth Kirby. 54
+illustrations.
+
+WATER BABIES. By Charles Kingsley. 84 illustrations.
+
+UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. 90 illustrations.
+
+TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb. 65 illustrations.
+
+ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND. 70 illustrations.
+
+ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE. 18 illustrations.
+
+MIXED PICKLES. 31 illustrations.
+
+LITTLE LAME PRINCE. By Miss Mulock. 24 illustrations.
+
+THE SLEEPY KING. 77 illustrations.
+
+RIP VAN WINKLE. By Washington Irving. 46 illustrations.
+
+A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES. By Robert Louis Stevenson. 100
+illustrations.
+
+ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. 50 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus'
+
+STORIES FROM HISTORY SERIES
+
+A series of stories from history which every boy and girl should know.
+No library is complete without these valuable contributions to juvenile
+literature.
+
+Profusely illustrated. Bound in cloth with illuminated covers, 40 cents
+each.
+
+ROMULUS, THE FOUNDER OF ROME. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.
+
+CYRUS THE GREAT, THE FOUNDER OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE. By Jacob Abbott. 40
+illustrations.
+
+DARIUS THE GREAT, KING OF THE MEDES AND PERSIANS. By Jacob Abbott. 34
+illustrations.
+
+XERXES THE GREAT, KING OF PERSIA. By Jacob Abbott. 39 illustrations.
+
+ALEXANDER THE GREAT, KING OF MACEDON. By Jacob Abbott. 51 illustrations.
+
+PYRRHUS, KING OF EPIRUS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.
+
+HANNIBAL, THE CARTHAGINIAN. By Jacob Abbott. 37 illustrations.
+
+JULIUS CAESAR, THE ROMAN CONQUEROR. By Jacob Abbott. 44 illustrations.
+
+DICKENS' CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 80 illustrations.
+
+ALFRED THE GREAT, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.
+
+WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 43 illustrations.
+
+CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 70 illustrations.
+
+HERNANDO CORTEZ, THE CONQUEROR OF MEXICO. By Jacob Abbott. 30
+illustrations.
+
+QUEEN ELIZABETH, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 49 illustrations.
+
+MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. By Jacob Abbott. 45 illustrations.
+
+GRANDFATHER'S CHAIR. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. 68 illustrations.
+
+KING CHARLES THE FIRST, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 41 illustrations.
+
+KING CHARLES THE SECOND, OF ENGLAND. By Jacob Abbott. 28 illustrations.
+
+MADAME ROLAND, A HEROINE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. By Jacob Abbott. 42
+illustrations.
+
+MARIE ANTOINETTE, QUEEN OF FRANCE. By John S. C. Abbott. 41
+illustrations.
+
+JOSEPHINE, EMPRESS OF FRANCE. By Jacob Abbott. 40 illustrations.
+
+BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE. By Prescott Holmes. 70
+illustrations.
+
+MILITARY HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES. 60 illustrations.
+
+HEROES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. 60 illustrations.
+
+LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. With portraits and
+illustrations.
+
+BATTLES OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION. By Prescott Holmes. 80 illustrations.
+
+YOUNG PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 50 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+MOTHER GOOSE SERIES
+
+A series of entirely new editions of the most popular books for young
+people. Handsomely printed from large, clear type, on choice paper; each
+volume containing about one hundred illustrations. Half vellum, with
+illuminated sides (6-7/8 x 8-3/4 inches). Price, 50 cents each.
+
+ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP.--OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS.--BEAUTY AND THE
+BEAST.--BIRD STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.--CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE
+GLASS SLIPPER.--THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.--JACK AND THE
+BEAN-STALK.--JACK THE GIANT-KILLER.--LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.--PUSS IN
+BOOTS.--THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.--WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN?
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN SERIES
+
+A new series for young people, by the best known English and American
+authors. Profusely illustrated, and with handsome and appropriate
+bindings. Cloth, 12mo. Price, 50 cts. each.
+
+BLACK BEAUTY. By Anna Sewell.
+
+HIAWATHA. By Henry W. Longfellow.
+
+ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. By Lewis Carroll.
+
+PAUL AND VIRGINIA. By Sainte Pierre.
+
+GALOPOFF, THE TALKING PONY. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+GYPSY, THE TALKING DOG. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+CAPS AND CAPERS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+DOUGHNUTS AND DIPLOMAS. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+FOR PREY AND SPOILS. By Frederick A. Ober.
+
+TOMMY FOSTER'S ADVENTURES. By Frederick A. Ober.
+
+TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE. By Charles and Mary Lamb.
+
+A LITTLE ROUGH RIDER. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+ANOTHER YEAR WITH DENISE AND NED TOODLES. By Gabrielle E. Jackson.
+
+POOR BOYS' CHANCES. By John Habberton.
+
+SEA KINGS AND NAVAL HEROES. By Hartwell James.
+
+POLLY PERKINS'S ADVENTURES. By E. Louise Liddell.
+
+FOLLY IN FAIRYLAND. By Carolyn Wells.
+
+FOLLY IN THE FOREST. By Carolyn Wells.
+
+THE BOY GEOLOGIST. By Prof. E. J. Houston.
+
+HELEN'S BABIES. By John Habberton.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+WEE BOOKS FOR WEE FOLKS
+
+Filled with charming stories, beautifully illustrated with pictures in
+colors and black and white. Daintily, yet durably bound. Price, 50 cents
+each.
+
+NURSERY TALES.--NURSERY RHYMES.--THE STORY OF PETER RABBIT.--THE FOOLISH
+FOX.--THREE LITTLE PIGS.--THE ROBBER KITTEN.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+CHILDREN'S GIFT SERIES
+
+A new series of the most famous children's classics, in new and
+attractive bindings with full page illustrations in color and black and
+white. Cloth, 4to, 75 cents each.
+
+ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.--THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT
+ALICE FOUND THERE.--A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES.--MOTHER GOOSE'S RHYMES,
+JINGLES AND FAIRY TALES.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--THE ADVENTURES OF
+ROBINSON CRUSOE.--GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES.--ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES.--BIBLE
+PICTURES AND STORIES.--ANIMAL STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+ONE-SYLLABLE SERIES
+
+For Young Readers
+
+Embracing popular works arranged for the young folks in words of one
+syllable. With numerous illustrations by the best artists. Handsomely
+bound, with illuminated covers. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+AESOP'S FABLES.--A CHILD'S LIFE OF CHRIST.--THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON
+CRUSOE.--BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.--SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON.--GULLIVER'S
+TRAVELS.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.--A CHILD'S STORY OF THE
+NEW TESTAMENT.--BIBLE STORIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.--THE STORY OF JESUS.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+DAINTY SERIES OF CHOICE GIFT BOOKS
+
+Bound in half-white vellum, illuminated sides, unique designs in gold
+and colors, with numerous half-tone illustrations. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+THE SILVER BUCKLE. By M. Nataline Crumpton.
+
+CHARLES DICKENS' CHILDREN STORIES.
+
+THE CHILDREN'S SHAKESPEARE.
+
+YOUNG ROBIN HOOD. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+HONOR BRIGHT. By Mary C. Rowsell.
+
+THE VOYAGE OF THE MARY ADAIR. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+THE KINGFISHER'S EGG. By L. T. Meade.
+
+TATTINE. By Ruth Ogden.
+
+THE DOINGS OF A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+OUR SOLDIER BOY. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+THE LITTLE SKIPPER. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+LITTLE GERVAISE AND OTHER STORIES.
+
+THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY. By John Strange Winter.
+
+MOLLY THE DRUMMER BOY. By Harriet T. Comstock.
+
+HOW A "DEAR LITTLE COUPLE" WENT ABROAD. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+THE ROSE-CARNATION. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+MOTHER'S LITTLE MAN. By Mary D. Brine.
+
+LITTLE SWAN MAIDENS. By Frances E. Crompton.
+
+LITTLE LADY VAL. By Evelyn Everett Green.
+
+A YOUNG HERO. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+QUEEN OF THE DAY. By L. T. Meade.
+
+THAT LITTLE FRENCH BABY. By John Strange Winter.
+
+THE POWDER MONKEY. By G. Manville Fenn.
+
+THE DOLL THAT TALKED. By Tudor Jenks.
+
+WHAT CHARLIE FOUND TO DO. By Amanda M. Douglas.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus'
+
+YOUNG FOLKS PUZZLE PICTURES' SERIES
+
+A new series for young people, including numerous Puzzle Pictures by the
+best artists. Full cloth, illuminated cover design. Price, 50 cents
+each.
+
+MOTHER GOOSE'S PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+ANIMAL TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+DOG TALES, CAT TALES AND OTHER TALES, WITH PUZZLE PICTURES.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+Altemus' Illustrated
+
+MOTHER STORIES SERIES
+
+An entirely new series, including the best stories that mothers can tell
+their children. Handsomely printed and profusely illustrated. Ornamental
+cloth. Price, 50 cents each.
+
+MOTHER STORIES. 89 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER NURSERY RHYMES AND TALES. 135 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER FAIRY TALES. 117 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER NATURE STORIES. 97 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER STORIES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. 45 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER BEDTIME STORIES. 86 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER ANIMAL STORIES. 92 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER BIRD STORIES. 131 illustrations.
+
+MOTHER SANTA CLAUS STORIES. 91 illustrations.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The keynote of these books is manliness. The stories are wonderfully
+entertaining, and they are at the same time sound and wholesome. No boy
+will willingly lay down an unfinished book in this series.
+
+1 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OF THE KENNEBEC; Or, The Secret of Smugglers'
+Island.
+
+2 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT NANTUCKET; Or, The Mystery of the Dunstan Heir.
+
+3 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB OFF LONG ISLAND; Or, A Daring Marine Game at
+Racing Speed.
+
+4 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AND THE WIRELESS; Or, The Dot, Dash and Dare
+Cruise.
+
+5 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB IN FLORIDA; Or, Laying the Ghost of Alligator
+Swamp.
+
+6 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB AT THE GOLDEN GATE; Or, A Thrilling Capture in the
+Great Fog.
+
+7 THE MOTOR BOAT CLUB ON THE GREAT LAKES; Or, The Flying Dutchman of the
+Big Fresh Water.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+Have you any idea of the excitements, the glories of life on great
+ranches in the West? Any bright boy will "devour" the books of this
+series, once he has made a start with the first volume.
+
+1 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE RANCH; Or, The Boy Shepherds of
+the Great Divide.
+
+2 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS' GREATEST ROUND-UP; Or, Pitting Their
+Wits Against a Packers' Combine.
+
+3 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS ON THE PLAINS; Or, Following the Steam
+Plows Across the Prairie.
+
+4 THE RANGE AND GRANGE HUSTLERS AT CHICAGO; Or, The Conspiracy of the
+Wheat Pit.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated. Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+SUBMARINE BOYS SERIES
+
+By Victor G. Durham
+
+These splendid books for boys and girls deal with life aboard submarine
+torpedo boats, and with the adventures of the young crew, and possess,
+in addition to the author's surpassing knack of storytelling, a great
+educational value for all young readers.
+
+1 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY; Or, Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
+
+2 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP; Or, "Making Good" as Young Experts.
+
+3 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES; Or, The Prize Detail at Annapolis.
+
+4 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of the Deep.
+
+5 THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING CRUISE; Or, The Young Kings of the Deep.
+
+6 THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG; Or, Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam.
+
+7 THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SMUGGLERS; Or, Breaking Up the New Jersey
+Customs Frauds.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The reading boy will be a voter within a few years; these books are
+bound to make him think, and when he casts his vote he will do it more
+intelligently for having read these volumes.
+
+1 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS WAKE UP; Or, Fighting the Trolley Franchise
+Steal.
+
+2 THE SQUARE DOLLAR BOYS SMASH THE RING; Or, In the Lists Against the
+Crooked Land Deal.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BEN LIGHTBODY SERIES
+
+By Walter Benham
+
+1 BEN LIGHTBODY, SPECIAL; Or, Seizing His First Chance to Make Good.
+
+2 BEN LIGHTBODY'S BIGGEST PUZZLE; Or, Running the Double Ghost to Earth.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+PONY RIDER BOYS SERIES
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+These tales may be aptly described as those of a new Cooper. In every
+sense they belong to the best class of books for boys and girls.
+
+1 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the Lost Claim.
+
+2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The Veiled Riddle of the Plains.
+
+3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer
+Trail.
+
+4 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby Mountain.
+
+5 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, Finding a Key to the Desert
+Maze.
+
+6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.
+
+7 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of Bright
+Angel Gulch.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE BOYS OF STEEL SERIES
+
+By James R. Mears
+
+The author has made of these volumes a series of romances with scenes
+laid in the iron and steel world. Each book presents a vivid picture of
+some phase of this great industry. The information given is exact and
+truthful; above all, each story is full of adventure and fascination.
+
+1 THE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of the Shaft.
+
+2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift.
+
+3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORE BOATS; Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes.
+
+4 THE IRON BOYS IN THE STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder
+Pits.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+WEST POINT SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young Americans
+whose doings will inspire all boy readers.
+
+1 DICK PRESCOTT'S FIRST YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Two Chums in the Cadet
+Gray.
+
+2 DICK PRESCOTT'S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Finding the Glory of
+the Soldier's Life.
+
+3 DICK PRESCOTT'S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Standing Firm for Flag
+and Honor.
+
+4 DICK PRESCOTT'S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, Ready to Drop the Gray
+for Shoulder Straps.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+ANNAPOLIS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted in
+these volumes.
+
+1 DAVE DARRIN'S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Plebe Midshipmen at the
+U. S. Naval Academy.
+
+2 DAVE DARRIN'S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Two Midshipmen as Naval
+Academy "Youngsters."
+
+3 DAVE DARRIN'S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Leaders of the Second Class
+Midshipmen.
+
+4 DAVE DARRIN'S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, Headed for Graduation and
+the Big Cruise.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE YOUNG ENGINEERS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+The heroes of these stories are known to readers of the High School Boys
+Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton prove worthy of
+all the traditions of Dick & Co.
+
+1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest.
+
+2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA; Or, Laying Tracks on the "Man-Killer"
+Quicksand.
+
+3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking Fortune on the Turn of a
+Pick.
+
+4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the Mine Swindlers.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOYS OF THE ARMY SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States Army of
+to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a master pen.
+
+1 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE RANKS; Or, Two Recruits in the United States
+Army.
+
+2 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning Corporal's Chevrons.
+
+3 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling Their First Real Commands.
+
+4 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Or, Following the Flag Against
+the Moros.
+
+(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+BATTLESHIP BOYS SERIES
+
+By Frank Gee Patchin
+
+These stories throb with the life of young Americans on to-day's huge
+drab Dreadnaughts.
+
+1 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS AT SEA; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy.
+
+2 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS FIRST STEP UPWARD; Or, Winning Their Grades as
+Petty Officers.
+
+3 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New Ratings in
+European Seas.
+
+4 THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN THE TROPICS; Or, Upholding the American Flag in
+a Honduras Revolution.
+
+(Other volumes to follow rapidly.)
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Janet Aldridge
+
+Real live stories pulsing with the vibrant atmosphere of outdoor life.
+
+1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS; Or, Fun and Frolic in the Summer
+Camp.
+
+2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a
+Summer Hike.
+
+3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT; Or, The Stormy Cruise of the Red Rover.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck.
+
+Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinating
+volumes.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and
+Sports.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley Diamond.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football
+Gridiron.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & Co. Leading the
+Athletic Vanguard.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar school
+boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy.
+
+1 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick & Co. Start Things
+Moving.
+
+2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports.
+
+3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, Dick & Co. Trail Fun and
+Knowledge.
+
+4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS; Or, Dick & Co. Make Their
+Fame Secure.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S VACATION SERIES
+
+By H. Irving Hancock
+
+"Give us more Dick Prescott books!"
+
+This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the country
+over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the publishers,
+making this eager demand; for Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Tom Reade, and
+the other members of Dick & Co. are the most popular high school boys in
+the land. Boys will alternately thrill and chuckle when reading these
+splendid narratives.
+
+1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.'s Rivals on Lake
+Pleasant.
+
+2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The Dick Prescott Six
+Training for the Gridley Eleven.
+
+3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. in the Wilderness.
+
+4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & Co. Making Themselves
+"Hard as Nails."
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE CIRCUS BOYS SERIES
+
+By Edgar B. P. Darlington
+
+Mr. Darlington's books breathe forth every phase of an intensely
+interesting and exciting life.
+
+1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS; Or, Making the Start in the
+Sawdust Life.
+
+2 THE CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE CONTINENT; Or, Winning New Laurels on the
+Tanbark.
+
+3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LAND; Or, Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny
+South.
+
+4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISSIPPI; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on
+the Big River.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Jessie Graham Flower, A. M.
+
+These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the reader
+fairly by storm.
+
+1 GRACE HARLOWE'S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Merry Doings of the
+Oakdale Freshman Girls.
+
+2 GRACE HARLOWE'S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the
+Girl Chums in Work and Athletics.
+
+3 GRACE HARLOWE'S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, Fast Friends in the
+Sororities.
+
+4 GRACE HARLOWE'S SENIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; Or, The Parting of the
+Ways.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+                 *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS SERIES
+
+By Laura Dent Crane
+
+No girl's library--no family book-case--can be considered at all complete
+unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books.
+
+1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Summer Parade.
+
+2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's
+Trail.
+
+3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy
+Hollow.
+
+4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy Odds.
+
+5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under
+Southern Skies.
+
+Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 50c.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES IN TOYLAND***
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