The next evening, as soon as the little girl came in, she went to their meeting-place by the Noah’s Ark.
But the little Marionette was not to be found.
“This is too bad of her!” said the little girl. “Our last time! And after she has promised not to be late!”
Tears rose to her eyes.
“I am very much disappointed,” said she as she walked up and down the shop looking for her friend.
“I shall never find her.... Why, there she is!” she exclaimed suddenly.
And she hurried up to the little Marionette, who, half-concealed by a big Drum, lay on the ground beside a Puzzle.
“You are not very kind,” remarked the little girl reproachfully. “I asked you to be early, and you never came at all.”
“I am very sorry,” answered the little Marionette in a tired voice.
Then she sat up, and the little girl saw with much sorrow and surprise that she was quite disfigured. Her nose was broken, her eyes were crooked, and her face was quite knocked about. All the little girl’s annoyance vanished, and her heart was full of pity.