"I say, how do you play with dolls?"
"You pretend things. Can you do that?"
"Bless you, yes!" said Peters, cheerfully. "I can pretend anything you like. What shall it be?"
"Let's pretend it's night."
"All right. It's night. And what do you do then?"
"Well, if it's night, of course we must put Mrs Markham to bed. I've got her nightdress in my pocket." She pulled it out and smoothed it on her knee. "Now, I must undress her." But she did not do it; she sat quite still, humming a little tune, while Peters watched her with interest.
"What are you waiting for?" he asked.
"I'm waiting," she said, with some severity, "for you to look the other way. I can't undress Mrs Markham while you're staring at her."
Peters blushed, apologised, and looked the other way. Presently he was told that he might turn round again; Mrs Markham was properly attired, and asleep, with her head supported by part of a brick.
"Capital!" exclaimed Peters.