AUDREY. 87

_ “*Buttercup was not,’ said the mouse, brushing his long
whiskers. ‘Really, now, I am not so very terrible.’

“<«That may be; but I wish you would go away, for I
cannot come out while you stand there peeping at me.’

“<Qh, well, since you are so very bashful, I will go. I hope
you will have more acceptable callers than I seem to be. Good-
morning!’ And away ran the mouse.

“¢QOh, dear! I wish he had let me alone, said Violet. ‘I
shall be afraid to look out at all now.’ But as no one came
that way for some time, she ventured a short distance, and sat
sunning herself, when a bee stopped to ask if she were hungry.

“<«T be sure,’ she answered.

“<T thought so,’ said he, ‘so I brought you some honey.’

“She took it gladly, and away flew the bee, saying he had
to serve so many that he could not stop.

“«Going to the ball to-night? said a butterfly, as he
alighted on a leaf near by.

“¢ Perhaps,’ returned Violet, smiling out from her shelter.
‘Are you?’

“*No,’ said he; ‘I dance all day, and am nearly worn out
by night; but the night-moths will be there, and you will not
lack for partners, I know. Good-by! I must be off.’

“<« Dear me!’ said Violet, ‘he is in such a hurry, and I quite
like him; but that is always the way with these butterflies.’
And, as it was now high noon, she curled herself up in her
purple gown and settled down under a leaf to take a nap.