“But can nothing be done for you, sir?” said Mrs. Littlepump in a soft voice.
“My dear Margaret,” said Doctor Littlepump, “you hear what Mrs. Littlepump asks. It is for you to make some kind of an answer. I wish my brother Abraham were here!”
“I can never love the gentleman in the rough coat,” said Margaret, still holding one hand before her face. “I do not mind his being much older than myself, nor do I think him so very, very ugly—only, he is a Bear!”
“I am a devoted Bear!” declared the stout gentleman with enthusiasm, “and I will be anything else I can, that the dear object may command.”
“I have had a dream!” said Margaret timidly looking up and waiting. “I have had a dream!”
“So have I,” said Dr. Littlepump sternly. “Come, come, I begin to feel uncomfortable.”
“Do not feel so!” exclaimed Mr. Bear, clasping his paws together.
“Make haste!” continued the Doctor, fixing his eyes upon Margaret. “Make haste! Let us hear your dream.”
“I dreamed,” said Margaret, trembling, “that Mr. Bear must go into that closet, and be locked in. Then, all the children were to form a magic circle in the middle of the room, and move slowly round, hand in hand, nine times, saying:
‘Oh, Mr. Bear!