"'Make yourselves at home,' said 'Aunt Twaddles,' as she sank back with a sigh of relief into a golden chair; but when little Maud turned to thank her politely, she found her little heart so full of gratitude and joy she was unable to speak a single word.
"Down in the village of tiny play-houses, bright, happy-faced dolls were playing upon the clean streets and out on the lawn of the public square; while hundreds of dolls were streaming in and out of the beautiful building around which lay the miniature village.
"They were laughing and talking, chatting and romping, until the air fairly echoed with the sound of their merry voices. Many, separated from the rest in groups, were playing all sorts of games; and so firmly were the bright eyes of the children riveted upon the gamboling, playful beauties that nothing seemed able to draw their attention away.
"Over the village hung an unclouded arch of bright, blue sky, while scattered everywhere on the green lay toys and playthings of every known kind that might either amuse or instruct the doll babies.
"Some dolls were busily engaged in running toy steam engines. Others were spinning their tops on the streets of the village. Still others were sending up crimson and yellow and blue balloons and watching them pass out of sight or burst in mid-air.
"Off in a vacant place a number of boy dolls were flying their kites, and others were playing baseball and tennis; while marbles in millions lay scattered all over the ground. Little Arthur, eyeing them enviously, turned to his sister and said:
"'Mercy! Wouldn't I like to have some of those beautiful toys down in Harpers Ferry.'
"Maud's only reply to her delighted brother was a long-drawn sigh, on the very breath of which she exclaimed:
"'Oh, Arthur! Look at the beautiful dolls!'
"For a long time the children watched the dolls as they romped upon the clean streets and green playgrounds. Finally, little Maud looked up at 'Aunt Twaddles' and inquired with a serious air and softened voice: