"You said the good soldier obeyed without speaking," May said, with a wan smile. "I was trying to learn how."
"Bless my heart, what a boy you are!" the General exclaimed, actually kissing the "boy's" cheek. "This shall not happen again; you shall have a fine light rifle for your own as soon as possible."
"Oh, thank you, but I really don't care for one!" said May, secretly alarmed at the thought of having to harbor such a dangerous possession.
"Is there anything else that you can think of that you would like to have?" questioned the General, anxiously, for he wanted to make amends for his late thoughtlessness.
"Oh, yes!" cried May. "If I could have one of those big dolls with a phonograph inside—almost a human inside, talk and a laugh all there, I should be perfectly happy!"
"A doll!" said the General, with a frown.
"Yes, I know a girl that would like it!" May said quickly, fearing that she had betrayed herself.
"A rifle will be a more appropriate gift," replied the General.
He gave May some silver, however, that burned so in her pocket that as soon as she could she went to the village to spend it. She bought a doll's hat, one admirably suited to Maud Madeleine's waxen features, and on leaving the store she encountered Philip Guy Brentwood. He was not alone; two boys, whether of the same species or not May could not determine, were with him.
"I saw you buying a doll's bonnet," said Philip, disagreeably. "What a sissy! Bah, you make me tired!"