Page:The Princess of Cozytown.pdf/32

 "Here's a nice state of things," said the knitted doll gentleman bitterly, looking at the closed door. But just then the rabbit's head appeared at a side window. They hurried around till they were beneath it and saw that he was letting down a piece of cord. "Found it in the scrap basket. Catch a-hold!" he whispered. One after the other they were drawn up and found themselves in a beautiful hall. "She's in there," said the rabbit, hopping sadly down from the window ledge and pointing to a large room that opened out onto the hall. The sound of music and laughter came wafting out to the forlorn little toys and made them feel shabbier and lonelier than ever.

At last they picked up courage, and, forming into a procession, marched bravely into the big bright room. There were a great many people there, and no one seemed to notice them. Keeping well out of sight they made straight for the corner where the Princess sat talking to a young man I have mentioned before. How the Princess had changed—goodness, but she seemed big—what was the matter? Rushing forward old Dinah threw herself at her feet! "Come back! Come back!" she wailed. "Have you forgotten us?" cried Miss Amanda. The Princess jumped to her feet with a little laugh. "Why how did they get here?" she murmured, half aloud. "What?" questioned the young man looking around.

"Why, my old toys!" laughed the Princess. Horrors! At the word "toys," every one of the brave company toppled over and there they lay in a stiff little heap. Then they were carried up to the dim attic and there they are lying this very minute, lifeless and still, waiting for another little girl or boy to believe in them, to take them back to Cozytown with its rose-covered cottages and days that are all sunshine.

For Princess Poppsy had grown up, my dears. The Giant Grownupness had carried her away from Cozytown forever to a country where all must go at last and from which they may never return.