Melchior's Dream and Other Tales

t ill habits than to br

ways saying, "Oh, I say, look here, Selina!" and proposing some silly plan of his own. But he was very good-natured, and when we were alone I let him be uncle to the dolls. When we spent the d

lumber-room, where we were allowed to amuse ourselves. But one morning when we went to our play-room, after drilling with Sergeant Walker, Joseph found a model fortress and wooden soldiers and cannon in one corner of the room; and I

a," and suggesting things; and I wanted to arrange the shops my own way. But when they were done, and I was taking the dolls from one booth to another to shop, I did think it seemed very odd that Joseph should not even want to walk through the fair.

cannon so as to hide it. So I said I wouldn't have a cannon in my fair at all; and Joseph said he didn't want to come to my fair, for he liked his fortress much better, and he r

I wouldn't let him play with the dolls; and I said that was just it-when I didn't want

the fortress when he ought to have been pretending to sell; and once, when I had left the fair, he got his cannon back and sh

shall go straight down, and com

you or from Joseph. If you want anything that you have not got, and will ask for it, I will do my best for you, as my little guests; and if it is right and reasonable, and fa

as fairly in the drawing-room, and Lady Elizabeth

nything, my de

t seemed so provoking; that I did think it was very u

it, but I will not have grumbling in the drawing-room. By all means make up your mind as to what you want, and don't be afraid to ask your old godmother. But if she thi

never knew such children," and so forth. It is always easy to meet grievance with grievance, but I found t

e and play at your game for an hour now, my dear?

not really think he would discharge his cannon at the poulterer's again. But I thought myself hardly used, a

said. "He would attend to you if you t

oseph, but I will order him not to molest

ay nicely, and invent things for the dolls to say, as Maud M

as you wish it, he had better amuse himself with his o

s crying, but I sobbed out

aud Mary,

ticular friend-my very part

been with me, then, what would not have been my triumph in displaying the Dutch fair! The longer I thought of her the faster my tears fell, but they did not help me to think of anything definite to ask for; and when Lady Elizabeth said, "would you like to go home, my dear? or do you want me to ask your friend to stay with you?" I had the grace to feel as