"Everything will be different now," was her thought as she lay down to sleep. "I shall be glad when to-morrow comes."
"'Tis the Land of Little People, where the happy children play, And the things they know and see there are so wonderful and grand-- Things that wiser, older folks cannot know or understand. In the woods they meet the fairies, find the giants in their caves, See the palaces of cloudland, and the mermen in the waves, Know what all the birdies sing of, hear the secrets of the flowers-- For the Land of Little People is another world than ours."
So this is the little gypsy Blanche has been telling me about!"
Such was Mr. Forester's greeting to Marjory when she went to Braeside on a return visit.
Marjory was not sure that she liked being called a gypsy. That dark hair of hers was always a sore point, but she was quite certain that she did not like the kiss which Mr. Forester bestowed upon her in all kindness of heart. To begin with, she did not like being kissed by strangers; and secondly, if the said strangers happened to possess moustaches, it made their offence the greater. Mr. Forester was a stranger, and, moreover, was the proud owner of a long and silky moustache, so Marjory felt that she had some excuse for her resentment.
"'Don't like being called a gypsy, and don't like being kissed' written large all over her face--eh, Blanche?" said Mr. Forester mischievously.
"Papa, you are a horrid tease. Go away and leave us in peace. I don't wonder Marjory doesn't like your nasty, tickly kisses."
"Oh dear, please don't send me away," he said in mock dismay. "Mayn't I stay if I promise to be very, very good?"
Marjory's reply was to burst out laughing.
"Ah, that's better," said Mr. Forester. "Now we're all quite happy. Sit down, both of you, and listen to me."
The girls obeyed, and Mr. Forester continued,--
"Guess what I brought from Morristown to-day?"
"I should be very sorry to eat it, but some people might like to."
"Well, you are a pair of duffers. I thought you would have been sure to guess, but I'll go and fetch it."
Mr. Forester returned carrying a small hamper. There was straw poking out of it in places, and it was labelled, "This side up, with care."
"Oh, it's a new tea-set for the schoolroom," cried Blanche. "Mother said we needed one."