Taking the child gently by the hand, he walked to his desk, on which the papers of the new line were scattered, and drew open a drawer from which he took a large ninepin extraordinarily dressed as a doll.

The astonishment of the two gentlemen was increased at the following quaint colloquy between the manager and the child.
"She's doing remarkably well in spite of the trying weather, but I have had to keep her very quiet," said the manager, regarding the ninepin critically.
"Ess," said Mary quickly, "It's just the same with Johnny Dear; his cough is f'ightful at nights.

But Misery's all right.

I've just been to see her." "There's a good deal of scarlet fever around," continued the manager with quiet concern, "and we can't be too careful.

But I shall take her for a little run down the line tomorrow." The eyes of Mary sparkled and overflowed like blue water.