spectacles at the objects so swiftly flying past them.

Elsie uttered an exclamation of wonder. "A real fairy has been at work,
you see, Effie," Mrs. Donaldson said laughingly.

"Hey, what, my dear?" the old gentleman said, bending over as if a
little deaf. "Did you speak?"

"Effie wants to know where her uncle William has gone," Mrs. Donaldson
shouted.

"Uncle William? what, has she got an uncle William, Mary? Who is he?
Here Effie, my dear, will you have a bun?"

Elsie went over to him in a state of the most complete bewilderment, and
took from him the tempting bun that he held out to her. As she did so
she had a good look at him. Certainly it was not the same person who had
called himself Uncle William.

His face was quite changed. In place of the black hair was a small
fringe of iron grey locks. This man was years older. His very coat was a
different colour.

"Won't you give grandpapa a kiss for that nice bun?" the old gentleman
said in a quavering old voice. Elsie went timidly, and gave him a small
hasty kiss on the cheek.

He caught hold of her, and made her do it over again. "What, you puss!"
he cried, "are you frightened of grandpapa, who gives you all the nice
things? Dip your hand in my bag, and take out what you like."

He opened a small black valise, and disclosed delicious fruits and cake.
Elsie drew forth a large mellow pear. "If Duncan could have it," she
thought as she bit a juicy mouthful.

"Do you like grandpapa better than Uncle William?" Mrs. Donaldson
whispered in her ear.

"I do not know," Elsie answered; "but I couldn't dislike him any more,"
she added, with a little shudder.

Mrs. Donaldson laughed most good-humouredly. "Then you must like him
better," she said, "and that is a good thing. Grandpapas are always
kind, you know. Go and talk to yours, but you must speak loud, because
he is getting a little deaf."

Elsie obeyed. The old gentleman looked round, and smiled. It was a very
gracious smile, but somehow not one that Elsie liked. "That's right,
come and talk to grandpapa," he said. "Can you read nicely? Here is a
pretty book with pictures, out of a fairy pocket grandpapa keeps for his
children." As he spoke he drew out a book in most brilliant binding of
scarlet and gold. It was full of pictures, and altogether charming.
Elsie grew more and more bewildered.

What had become of that dreadful man who had hissed his threats in her
ear? He had quite vanished; there was no doubt