28 THE CINDERELLA FROCK.

** O, and isn’t it dreadful 2 ”’

Alice did not comprehend.

‘© Well, you have your mother with you, I
Suppose, and brothers and sisters, Alice ?”’

‘* No, Louise, I have no brothers and sis-
ters, and my mother is dead,—or no, God
has taken her away to the spiritual world. I
have a mother Louise,”’ and little Alice folded
her hands together, and looked smilingly into
her companion’s face.

“QO, Alice, and who takes care of you?”

Alice looked surprised.

‘¢ Why, I mean, who gets the victuals, and
all that,—who’s housekeeper, Alice ?”’

‘* QO, my father and I together,”? and here
was a great laugh from all, “I’m a famous
cook.”’

Louise lifted both hands in astonishment.
‘* A cook! make fires and broil steak, do
you? heigho! (heigho, and queen Victoria