“‘If you’ll listen, I’ll tell you all about it,’ said Merope. ‘But you all talk at once.’
“‘We won’t,’ said Cassiopeia. ‘Be quiet, everybody! Tell us this minute. Who took you?’
“‘Nobody. I went myself.’
“‘That’s not the way to begin,’ said Orion. ‘Where did you go?’
“‘I went where the stars are made.’
“‘What did you do such a thing as that for?’
“Merope’s arm was around Little Bear, as he sat close beside her, and she drooped her head until her chin touched his sharp little ear and bent it over.
“‘I wanted a new star,’ she said very softly. ‘Wait—I’ll tell you all about it. I thought you were ashamed of me, and I didn’t want to disgrace you; and I thought and thought until I made up my mind to go where they were made, and get a new one.’
“‘But how could you be gone from your place?’ asked Maia. ‘Don’t you know it’s been clear weather?’
“‘Yes,’ said Merope. ‘But I knew my star was so dull it wasn’t likely I’d be missed. I’m not very important.’