ER-UPSET

[Illustration: Little Never-upset]

Little Never-upset was a roly-poly fellow, with weights in his little
body so placed that no matter how he was treated or tumbled about he
always bobbed up smiling.

His face was a jolly little round one, with a smile that could not be
rubbed off, and no matter how the other toys fussed or disputed among
themselves, Little Never-upset did not take a part.

One night when the clock struck the midnight hour Miss French Doll and
Miss Calico Doll began to fuss.

"You treated me very badly," said Miss Calico Doll. "When we were in
the carriage riding in the park one would have thought we did not live
in the same playroom."

"Why do you not have something to wear besides that old calico dress?"
asked Miss French Doll. "I never was so disgraced as when we met Miss
Marie Doll in her beautiful clothes. I am sure she wondered who you
were."

"Anyone would think you never had a broken arm and had to go to the
hospital," replied Miss Calico Doll. "You were a sorry-looking sight
without your hand and part of your arm, but I did not feel ashamed of
you when we sat in our chairs on the front porch."

"That is a very different thing," said Miss French Doll, with a toss of
her head. "I could not help having an accident."

"I cannot help wearing this calico dress," said Miss Calico Doll. "It
is painted on me just like my face."

"My goodness!" exclaimed Jack-in-a-box, jumping up with a spring,
"whatever is all the trouble? A body cannot get an extra wink for you
two fussing."

"Bow-wow-wow!" barked little Dog-on-wheels, "why don't you scare a body
right out of his skin, Jack? I was asleep right beside your box."

Teddy Bear began to growl. "Anyone would think this was a menagerie
instead of a playroom," he said.

"Yes, they would," said Calico Cat, with a spiteful twist of her tail.
"Your growl helps me to make it real."

Calico Cat humped her back ready to spring at Teddy if he answered, and
Little Dog-on-wheels barked, ready to jump at any one who gave him the
least cause.

Jack-in-a-box quivered on his spring with anger because French Doll
told him he had no legs and he better keep quiet, while Miss Calico
Doll tried to think of something spiteful to say to Miss French Doll.

It was this very moment that Little Never-upset, who was listening to
all the fussing from the shelf where he was sitting, set a good example
to the playroom toys.

"Get off my shelf!"