e went at quite a
furious rate. Her little feet went to and fro so quickly you could
hardly see them.

The China Doll implored the poor Little Dancer to stop, but she did not
heed her. She continued dancing, dancing, dancing all through the day,
all through the evening, and far into the night. Till, at last,
something within her went--_Snap_!

And she fell flat on the ground, and the gay little tune stopped
suddenly. The clockwork within her had broken. She had danced herself to
death!

The next morning the Bicycle-man came again.

"The wedding is put off--" he began. Then he saw the lifeless form of
the Little Dancer, and he turned pale.

"You have killed her by your vanity," said the China Doll severely. "If
you had stayed away she would have forgotten you. But you _would_ come
because it pleased your conceit to hear her say she loved you, and to
hear her lament because you did not love her. She has danced herself to
death in her despair. Alas! Alas! My poor friend!"

"I really believe I loved her after all," said the Bicycle-man in a sad
voice. "What can I say or do to make some slight amends? Tell me."

"There is nothing to be said or done," said the China Doll. "The poor
Little Dancer is dead. It is too late! Go and marry the Doll of the Red
House."

"I don't want to _now_," he answered. "Henceforward my life shall be
passed mourning for the Little Dancer who broke her heart because of me.
And from this time I shall ride my bicycle sitting with my back to the
handle, and with my hands behind me. It will be a most absurd position,
but it will serve as a punishment to remind me of the sad end to which
my vanity brought my poor little sweetheart."

And he strictly kept his resolve. At first the other Toys laughed: then
they wondered; then they inquired into the meaning of so strange a
performance. And when they heard the story, such of them as had heads
shook them, and all said gravely:

"'Tis well and nobly meant. But it won't mend the poor Little Dancer's
heart. Alas! Alack-a-day!"

CHAPTER VI

When the tale was ended the little girl took out her handkerchief and
wiped her eyes.

"Come, this won't do," said the little Marionette. "I should not have
told you the story if I had thought you were going to take it so much to
heart."

"I am very sorry for the poor Little Dancer," she replied sadly; "I wish
that the Bicycle-man had not been so unkind."

"Well, well, it is all over now. Wipe you