Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/102

 bottle, and washed the stairs with Dotty's pocket-handkerchief. That was fine fun!

Course we must have a door-plate, dear!' said the indefatigable Dotty, this being done, 'else folks won't know who to ask the girl is at home.'

"So Willy cut a square piece of brown paper, and printed on it in big letters, 'Dotty and Willy Pringle, Esquire.' After which, they stuck it on the door with a bit of glue which he fortunately had in his pocket. He had put it there to chew!"

Here June stopped, for Max and Thekla were in fits of amusement. June laughed herself, and showed a dimple in each cheek, and one in her chin.

"I don't wonder you think it funny," she said.

"I was holding my sides all the time myself. It was too comical,—the wise air of that mite of a Dotty, and the way she made Willy mind her.

"When the little people went home to dinner, and told their intentions about the house, none of the older folks made any objections. Dotty's