princess, whom his kiss had waked.




TOPSY STORIES.

I. THE COMING OF TOPSY.

One night, when Alice was a very little girl, her papa came home early
from the office. He carried a small basket in his hand, but when he
saw Alice he put the basket behind his back; his eyes twinkled as he
did so.

"Guess what I have brought you, little daughter," he said. "Something
to play with."

Alice ran and caught fast hold of her papa's knees with her two chubby
arms, and her eyes grew big and bright as she peeped around at the
basket.

"Oh, what is it, papa? Do let me see."

"You must guess first," said her papa; "such a fine plaything."

"I know; it's a dolly!" cried Alice.

Papa laughed. "No, it's ever so much better than a dolly, for it's
alive," he said.