their toy soldiers and walked to her children.

"Haw! Pre-sent, Fire!" cried Bob.

"Certainly," said his mother; and almost before they knew what she was
about, all the soldiers were set out, just like two armies, and Mrs.
Graham called the gardener to lay a train of gunpowder, and
called--mimicking Robert--"Present, Fire!" and set fire to it, and there
was heard a tremendous "pop," followed by a "puff," and then; no! there
wasn't a bit of one of all those soldiers and horses left large enough
to make a match of.

The boys began to cry.

"Now," said their mother, "others, you see, can play at soldiers. What
right had you to go to the tailor and order clothes of him! neither I
nor your father gave you permission; I have a great mind to make you go
to school in those soldiers' suits; and nice fun your play fellows would
make of you!"