The fairy babies

by Laura Rountree Smith

The Ink-Bottle Mamma said, “You have guessed right; we are going to make valentines.”

Then the Ink-Bottle Babies got some tables and scissors and paste.

The Ink-Bottle Mamma brought paper and some pictures, and she said, “You may cut out some hearts.”

Then the Ink-Bottle Babies went to work. They got paste on the table and on their hands and faces.

Then suddenly Polly set up a cry, and soon all the Ink-Bottle Babies shouted, “Oh Ma! Polly has cut her finger! Oh Ma! Come quickly!”

Sure enough, Polly had cut her finger.

The Ink-Bottle Mamma came and tied it up and said, “Every one of you wash your hands. I can’t have all my Babies cut their fingers!”

So the Ink-Bottle Babies got out twenty-five little basins and filled them with water, and they washed their hands.

Then they said, “Read us a fine fairy tale, Ma, please do.”