'From the enemy!' was the prompt answer of the future Emperor.
THE PICTURE-CLEANERS.
'Oh, dear! I do wish Mother and Father were back again. It is horrid to be without them,' exclaimed Sydney.
'Just horrid!' echoed Ella.
'They will be so pleased with you when they do come,' observed Millie, their elder sister, sarcastically.
'Oh!' said Syd, cheerfully, 'they know we can't be like dolls in a shop-window. And we have really been good these days, haven't we, Ella?'
'Rather!' agreed she, emphatically.
'You were pulling each other's hair half an hour ago,' went on Millie, and, longing to finish her story in peace, she rose, frowning, and left the room, saying, 'The nicest game to play at would be that of being quiet, good children, instead of troublesome little monkeys. I wonder you never try it.'
The two, left alone, looked at each other, and burst into a merry laugh. 'What a funny game!' exclaimed Sydney. 'Shall we try it?'