198 THE MONEY-PIC.

have bought all the toys, and that is what we call having self-
respect.

The others thought of that too, even if they did not exactly
express it, for there were many other things to speak of. One of
the drawers was half pulled out, and there lay a great handsome
Doll, though she was somewhat old, and her neck had been
mended. She looked out and said,

“ Now well play at men and women, for that is always some-
thing!”

And now there was a general uproar, and even the framed prints
on the walls turned round and showed that there was a wrong
side to them; but they did not do it to protest against the pro-
posal,

It was late at night ; the moonshone through the window-frames
and afforded the cheapest light. The game was now to begin,
and all, even the children’s Go-Cart, which certainly belonged to
the coarser playthings, were invited to take part in the sport.

“Each one has his own peculiar value,” said the Go-Cart: “ we
cannot all be noblemen. There must be some who do the work,
as the saying is.” :

The Money-Pig was the only one who received a written invita-
tion, for he was of high standing, and they were afraid he would
not accept a verbal message. Indeed, he did not answer to say
whether he would come, nor did he come: if he was to take a
part, he must enjoy the sport from his own home; they were to
arrange accordingly, and so they did.

The little toy theatre was now put up in such a way that the
Money-Pig could look directly in. They wanted to begin with a
comedy, and afterwards there was to bea tea party and a discus-
sion for mental improvement, and with this latter part they began
immediately. The Rocking-Horse spoke of training and race, the
Go-Cart of railways and steam power, for all this belonged to
their profession, and it was quite right they should talk of it. The
Clock talked politics—ticks—ticks—and knew what was the time
of day, though it was whispered he did not go correctly; the
Bamboo Cane stood there, stiff and proud, for he was conceited
about his brass ferule and his silver top, for being thus bound
above and below; and on the sofa lay two worked Cushions, pretty
and stupid, and now the play began.

All sat and looked on, and it was requested that the audience
should applaud and crack and stamp according as they were
gratified. But the Riding-Whip said he never cracked for old
people, only for young ones who were not yet married.

“I crack for everything,” said the Cracker. ¢

All these were the thoughts they had while the play went on.
The piece was worthless, but it was well played; all the characters
turned their painted side to the audience, for they were so made
that they should only be looked at from that side, and not from