v.] HARRY’S DREAM. 273

which the old gentleman had so palpably misunder-
stood and misrepresented. Before, however, he could
say a word, May gave a tremendous yawn, which,
under all the circumstances of the case, was not re-
markable.

‘Dear me!’ she said, ‘what nonsense you two
are talking about! Do choose some more amusing
subject.’

Harry instantly stopped, for he felt that May was
quite right, and that it was hardly fair upon her to
discuss matters about which she knew nothing, and
probably cared less. So by way of changing the con-
versation he remarked, ‘What an odd fancy it is to
have squirrels for servants! Don’t they wear out their
livery, climbing about in the trees?’

‘Dear me!’ said the old gentleman, ‘how very
foolish you are, if you will excuse me for saying so.
Fairy livery doesn’t tear so easily, and squirrels are
first-rate servants: clean, active, sharp, and capital
fellows to get up early in the morning, which is more
than can be said for some servants. But now you
mention them, we will have tea taken away. So
saying, he made a sign to the attendant squirrels, who
instantly ran forward, and with graceful alacrity re-
moved the table and tea-things.

‘Now,’ said May, ‘somebody tell me a story,
please.’

Harry looked at the little brown gentleman, and
the little brown gentleman looked at Harry, but
neither of them seemed inclined to begin. Then the
other nudged Harry and whispered in his ear, but
so loud that May could hear quite easily, ‘You begin.

T