had gone quite white with the fright that he got when he saw little
May fall down.

"Oh, May, I am so sorry, dear," he said; "will you kiss me, dear, and
make it up? Do, please."

No need to ask the little Queen twice; she threw her little arms round
Bertie.

"I am so sorry, May," he said; "I didn't know you would have cared so
much."

"Never mind, Bertie, dear," said the little Queen gently; and she tried
to look cheerful, though I knew she was grieved to the heart. "Perhaps
it's almost for the best," she whispered, softly; "for now she can be
Prince or Princess, just whichever you like."

So they made it up, and cried and laughed again, as is the way with
these inferior mortals. I had remained calm all the time, which is the
correct frame of mind in which a doll should take all vicissitudes of
fortune, but the poor little Queen had cried till she had washed nearly
all the colour off my face.

I lived with the children for a long time after this, but I never saw
them quarrel again. I took my part in many a game, and was sometimes a
Princess to please the Queen, and sometimes a Prince because the King
liked it best. I have even been dressed up as the Lord Chamberlain
before now, and sometimes I have taken the part of the scullery-maid.
But neither the King nor the Queen nor I have ever lost our temper
again, and I flatter myself whatever part I have taken I have borne
myself with dignity.

LUCIE COBBE.

THE KINGFISHER AND THE FISHES.

A Kingfisher sat on the edge of a boat that a young man had prepared for
a fishing expedition. A box of bait and a bucket to hold the fish were
on one of the benches, whilst a fishing-rod lay across the boat, and its
long line had a float at the end of it.

"What a shame it is!" said the Kingfisher, casting his eye upon the
float. "Why should this man be taking fish from this part of the river,
close by the spot where I have built my nest? And what a preparation he
has made! Hooks, and all kinds of cruelty are known to him. I should be
very sorry to be a man with such a love for killing."

And the Kingfisher shook his head gravely, and looked into the water.

"Yes," said he, "fish are moving towards that decoy. What a number of
them! I may as well make a pounce myself. Since the man has put it
there, why shouldn't I take advantage of it."

So saying he gently rose and spread out his wings as softly as he could,
but the movement scared the watchful fishes, who s