Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/107

 their best clothes, sat on two chairs waiting for the company, and looking very solemn. Every one had to rap on the door; and Dotty, on opening it, would say, 'Please's'cuse me for coming my own self, 'cause I've sent my girl out on a current,' which was very impressive.

"Then the little visitors would come into the parlor, and sit down. They all tried to be very grave and grown-up; but it didn't last long with most of them. Dotty's dignity, however, held out to the end. When she sat at the head of the table pouring tea (out of the pitcher), she was a sight to behold.

Mr. Pringle,' she would say, 'please distibit those peaches. You ain't so polite to the company as I could wish.'

"The very next day after this happy one, Dotty's Mamma and Papa went away, and Dotty with them. All the good times were over. She sat on her nurse's lap and sobbed, as they drove down the street. When they passed 'No. 17,' it seemed as if her heart must break. As for poor Willy, he felt as badly as she; but he