Adventures in Toyland

[ ! ]( 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.

[ ! ]( 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.

[ ! ]( 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.

[ ! ]( "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.

[ ! ]( 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 replie

[ ! ]( "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.

[ ! ]( [ ! ]( 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.

[ ! ]( 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.