o was carefully taking the tissue
papers from his gift, which proved to be a glass globe, containing two
goldfish.

"They are Darby and Juliet," he remarked, as he looked anxiously into the
bowl. "I am so tired of hackneyed pairs of names, that I've varied these.
But, won't you send for some more water? I had to bring them with only a
little, for fear I'd spill it, and they seem to have drunk it nearly all
up."

"Nonsense! they don't drink the water; they only swim in it."

"That's the trouble. There isn't enough for them to swim in. And yet
there's too much for them to drink."

Patty rang for Jane, who then brought them a pitcher of ice water.

Kenneth poured it in, but at the sudden cold deluge, Darby and Juliet
began to behave in an extraordinary manner. They flew madly round and
round the bowl, hitting each other, and breathing in gasps.

"The water's too cold," cried Patty.

"Of course it is," said Kenneth; "get some hot water, won't you?"

Patty ran herself for the hot water, and returned with a pitcher full.

"Don't you want a little mustard?" she said, giggling. "I know they've
taken cold. A hot mustard foot-bath is fine for colds."

"And that is very odd, because they haven't any feet," quoted Kenneth, as
he poured the hot water in very slowly.

"Do you want a bath thermometer?" went on Patty.

"No; when they stop wriggling it's warm enough. There, now they're all
right."

Kenneth set down the hot water pitcher and looked with pride on the two
fish, who had certainly stopped wriggling.

"They're awful quiet," said Patty. "Are you sure they're all right? I
think you've boiled them."

"Nothing of the sort. They like warmth, only it makes them sort of----"

"Dormant," suggested Patty.

"Yes, clever child, dormant. And now while they sleep, I'll tell you my
plan. You see, these are extra intelligent goldfish,--especially Juliet,
the one with a black spot on her shoulder. Well, you've only to train
them a bit, and then give exhibitions of your trained goldfish! You've no
idea what a hit it will make."

"Kenneth, you're a genius!" cried Patty, meeting his fun halfway. "It's
lots easier than white work. Come on, help me train them, won't you? How
do we begin?"

"They're still sleepy," said Kenneth, looking at the inert fish. "They
need stirring up."

"I'll get a spoon," said Patty, promptly.

"No, just waggle the water with your finger. They'll come up."

Patty waggled the water with her fi