A Sweet Little Maid | Page 3

of dishes, and with a clean cloth spread on first, the dishes were arranged. Then Bubbles brought in a little dish of chicken, a glass of jelly, light rolls, little cakes, a pitcher of milk, tea, sugar, and butter; and then Mrs. Dallas said,
"We will have our supper together, because papa is away, and Bubbles can wait on us here."
Bubbles had disappeared, but presently came back with a bunch of roses, which she put in the middle of the table.
"Why, Bubbles, that is quite fine," said Dimple, and she ate her supper with a relish; after which, the time seemed very short until to-morrow, for she was soon asleep.
"I believe this day is long too," she said, toward the afternoon of the next day. "When will papa come?"
"Not till six o'clock," replied her mamma. "You must try to be patient, for I think you will be very glad when he gets here. I have sent Bubbles for a book, and I will read to you, to pass the time away."
Six o'clock came at last, and soon after Dimple heard her papa's voice in the hall.
"Come right up," she heard him say.
"I do believe he has brought the white girl," she said, clasping her hands; and, to be sure, when he opened the door, some one was behind him.
"This is the nearest like you I could get," he said, and led forward some one in a grey frock and hat.
Dimple screamed, "Why, it is Florence. Oh! papa, you didn't say you were going to auntie's!"
"No. I wanted to surprise you," he replied. "And I thought your own cousin ought to be more like you than any one else."
"Well, I am delighted. You are sure to stay a long, long time, Florence. Take off your hat and sit right here," she said, moving up on the lounge. "I never had such a surprise."
"You forgot I promised a doll, too," said her papa, as he opened a package. "I thought Florence would like one, so I brought two, as near alike as if they were cousins," he added.
"Oh! you preciousest papa," said Dimple; "let me hug you all to pieces. I do think you are the most delightful man. I don't wonder mamma married you. When you go down please send Bubbles up here, so I can tell her I am almost glad she cut my foot, for it is worth it, to have Florence and a new doll too."
Bubbles came in beaming.
"Bubbles," cried Dimple, "see Florence and our new dolls,--and Bubbles, you shall have one of my old ones,--and Bubbles, when I grow up, you shall live with me always, because you cut my foot, and you must never, never think of the orphan asylum again.
"Now, tell me, Florence," she said, turning to her, "all about your coming. Didn't you have to get ready in a hurry?"
"Yes, indeed," replied Florence, "and, oh Dimple, I was so glad when uncle asked mamma and she said 'yes,' and she just packed up my things in a jiffy, and we stopped at papa's office, and said good-bye to him, and uncle bought me oranges and papers on the cars, and we didn't seem a bit long coming."
"Well, I am too glad," returned Dimple. "Won't we have fun with the dolls? O, Florence, do eat your supper up here with me instead of going downstairs."
"Of course," said Florence, "unless you would rather go down, for uncle said he would carry you."
"I know," said Dimple, "but it is more fun to have it up here with my tea-set, and Bubbles to wait on us."
So they had their tea upstairs, with the table set by the window, where the wistaria peeped in to look at them, and a little brown bird, quite envious, put his head on one side, and stood on the sill a full minute before he flew away.
"Oh! I think it is just lovely here," said Florence. "Ever so much nicer than at our house."
"Do you think so?" said Dimple, quite pleased. "You have a lovely house, though, Florence; it is four stories high, and has such beautiful things in it, and when you look out of the windows there is so much to see, carriages, and people all dressed up."
"Yes, and dirty old beggars and ragmen," said Florence, "and nasty, muddy streets."
They both laughed.
"What cunning little doylies," said Florence. "Who worked the little figures on them?"
"Mamma," said Dimple. "Aren't they sweet? She always sends them up with my supper, one over the milk pitcher, and one over the cake. Do you like lots of sugar in your tea, Florence?"
"Two lumps."
"Only two! Why I like three, and I believe I could take another; mamma says I have a sweet tooth, but I don't know where it is, for I have put my tongue on all