“Life is full of surprises,” remarked the little Marionette; “especially in the toy-shop.”
“I wish you would tell me all about it,” said the little girl, becoming bolder. “If toys can walk and talk, why don’t children know it?”
“Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant regarding their habits,” she answered. “That is the reason.
“At the same time,” she continued, “as it is, generally speaking, only when mortals are not present that we can move and speak freely, this ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable.”
“But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?”
“That I can’t tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a Mortal—a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every toy—generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks.”
The little girl clapped her hands.
“You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!” she exclaimed with pleasure. “I am only going to stay with my aunt and my cousin for twelve days longer.”
She paused a moment, then added:
“How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys—a new story every day, you know. Couldn’t you do that?”