queen followed in his steps. Her hair was done up in a tower of
top-knots and waterfalls; and there was drapery enough on the back of
her dress to astonish an upholsterer. Instead of calling Nelly "her
darling," as Nelly's first mother used to do, the queen merely said, as
she swept by, "Where are your manners, child?" for you must know that
poor Nelly had forgotten to courtesy.

Nelly put her face in her hands, and began to cry. "Oh, you cruel
Pitpat!" said she, "why did you tempt me? Oh! give me back my own dear
mother in her calico dress, my own dear father with the smirch on his
face, my doll Angelica, my black-and-white kitten Dainty, and my own
dear, dear home beside the lovely pond where the air is so sweet and the
bushes are so green."

"Take the end of my wand again, and touch your eyes with it," said the
voice of Pitpat. And there on the carpet, in her little gilded carriage,
stood the fairy once more with her wand held out. Nelly seized it
eagerly, and touched her eyes.

"Why, Dainty, what are you about?" said Nelly, as she felt the kitten's
head against her arm; and then, opening her eyes, she started to find
herself in the old wood-shed, seated with her back against the door,
Angelica in her lap, and the soft breeze from the pond fanning her cheek
and bosom. She looked at her feet. Ah! the golden slippers had
disappeared. "Dear me! I must have been dreaming," said Nelly.

IDA FAY.

ROSE'S SONG.

So it's hush-a-by, baby,
Hush-a-by now,
Mamma's gone to buy something good;
And she will not forget
Her own darling pet,
But will buy her a bonny blue hood:
Yes, she'll buy her a bonny blue hood.
Oh! she will not forget
Her own baby pet,
But will buy her a bonny blue hood.

Then it's crow away, baby,
Crow away, sweet,
Papa he is coming to-night;
And he'll bring home a kiss,
Like _this_ and like _this_,
For his sweet little Minnie so bright,
For his dear little Minnie so bright.
Oh! he's many a kiss,
Like _this_ and like _this_,
For his sweet little Minnie to-night.

GEO. BENNETT.

[Illustration]

THE SIX DUCKS.

IN the pond near Emily's house six tame ducks used to have a fine