'I like them very much,' said Mary.
'Well, then, I daresay that's why I like you. Because we generally like persons if we do kind things for them.'
'I see,' said Mary, but she didn't understand at all. 'But I'm sure it's a dream,' she added, 'and I do hope I shan't wake!'
'Oh dear!' was the answer. 'Now, do you know what I do to prove little girls are awake?'
'No,' said Mary, opening her eyes widely.
'Do you know what pinching is?'
'Oh yes,' said Mary, for Mrs. Coppert was very fond of pinching.
'Well, when I want to prove a little girl is awake, I pinch her.'
'But I know I'm not,' said Mary. 'I can't be. It's all part of the dream—your telling me that.'
Mary began to spoil her dream by looking forward to the time when she must awake to find herself upon the floor at the house in William Street, with her ragged dress waiting to be worn again. Still, it was the most real dream she had ever had, and it certainly seemed to be a very long one.