"So was I with the very first of them; I never got beyond William the Conqueror; my carpet will stick on very well without nails, if no one takes to dancing a jig upon it! You are just wearing your spirits out, Nelly, and I'm sure that I wouldn't do that for any man, least of all for that sour Mr. Learning, who scribbled Dunce on my wall!"
"I think," said Nelly, "that my friend Duty would tell me to go hammering on with these dates."
"Duty would keep one in tight order," laughed Lubin, "but I prefer following my own pleasure. I'm off to Amusement's bazaar, and I advise you to come with me now."
"Oh, Lubin, not now; not till I have finished my work."
"Then I'll go without you," said the boy, leaving poor Nelly to her troublesome task.
Scarcely had Nelly begun her hammering again, when Matty popped in her pretty little face.
"Why, Nelly, what's the use of tiring yourself like that! You will never manage to knock in all those nails!"
"I am afraid that I will not," sighed poor Nelly.
"Do as I do," continued Matty. "Miss Folly, kind creature, has supplied me with spangles, which are, all the world must own, just as pretty as any brass nails!"
"Spangles!" repeated Nelly in surprise; "no one can fasten down a carpet with spangles!"