said the old clock. And, oh! what a supper that was to hungry, happy little Caddy! and how happy the little clocks were to have such a good little girl as Caddy with them! They gave her the best of everything upon the table, and waited to see that she had all she wished before they even thought of eating for themselves. They told her all sorts of droll stories, and one little clock astonished Caddy very much by opening her little silver tunic and showing Caddy—who had not quite believed it before—that the little wheels actually did eat up the juicy fruits. "I wonder if I am full of little wheels," said Caddy. Then Caddy's little key sighed, for it was just the least bit tired, and Caddy's "I wonder" meant work for the key. But the old clock suddenly exclaimed,
"Tick-a-tock, 'most ten,
Little Caddy, come again."
"Caddy! Caddy Podkins!" said Mrs. Holland, in great surprise. The children were putting on their things in the dressing-room up stairs, and Mrs. Holland had just noticed that Caddy was not with them, and coming hastily down stairs, saw Caddy, just as we did, leaning against the tall old clock. "My poor little dear, why, how cold you are! Have you been asleep? Milly ought to have taken care of you. I'm afraid you have not had a good time."
"I've had a clock party," said Caddy, rubbing her eyes, while Mrs. Holland tied on her hood, "and I'm to come again."
FAIR PLAY.
Dear little May sat grieving alone,
With a pout on her lip and a tear in her eye,
Till kind old grandmamma chanced to pass,
And soon discovered the reason why.
"The children are planning a fair," sobbed she,
"And 'cause I'm so little, they won't—have—me!"
So grandmamma thought of a beautiful plan,
And whispered a secret in little May's ear—
Something which brought out the dimples and smiles,
And scattered with sunshine the pitiful tear.
Then off to grandmamma's room they went,
On something important very intent.
Well, the fair came off on a certain day,
And what do you think was the first thing sold?
A beautiful pair of worsted reins,
All knit in scarlet and green and gold.
The "big girls" wondered how came they there—
"The prettiest thing in the children's fair!"
Then out stepped May, with her cheeks so red:
"You said there was nothing that I could do,
'Cause I was little; but I made those,
And now, I guess, I'm as big as you!"
So little May at the fair that day
Was the reigning queen, it is fair to say.