On this festive occasion even poor Mrs. Drabble took a holiday. She brought with her Margery, Danton, and Brutus, of whom the first-named clung to Olive's skirts most of the day. She had brought with her and presented to Olive a birthday ode, in its way a marvel of rhyme and of spelling:--
"Oh, may no ethly cares
Anoy Olive Bellairs,
And may she never fear
Her birthday every year,
But give up teres and sighs.
Till she most hapy dyes."
"Thank you, Margery," said Olive, kissing the little poetess, who was anxiously watching the effect of her ode.
"I hope your good wishes will come true;" and she sighed.
"I have brought Charlotte Corday," remarked Margery, holding up a battered doll with a red cap on its head. "Poor dear! she has had no pleasure since we cut her head off."
"Who cut her head off?" asked Aldean, who was close at hand.
"Brutus, because he said she must 'dree her weird.' It should have been Danton of course, but Danton was at school. I have glued her head on again, but she will never have a strong neck. But I love her all the same."
"Shall I give you another doll?" said Carson, smiling amiably.
"No, thank you," replied Margery, shaking her curls, "I must keep Charlotte Corday after she has suffered so much for the cause."
"Ah! that is my Margery," roared Drabble; "she's a true chip of the old block."