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The Brownies and Other Tales by Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing
page 88 of 183 (48%)

"'Take a little tea, my love?' said Miss Rosa, pressing a pewter teacup
to my lips.

"I made believe to drink, but was only conscious of inhaling a draught
of air with a slight flavour of tin. In taking my second cup I was
nearly choked with the teaspoon, which got into my throat.

"'What are you doing?' roared the Jack-in-a-box at this moment; 'you
are not punishing her.'

"'I am treating her as she treated me,' answered Rosa, looking as
severe as her smile would allow. 'I believe that tit for tat is the
rule, and that at present it is my turn.'

"'It will be mine soon,' growled the Jack-in-a-box, and I thought of
the bonfire with a shudder. However, there was no knowing what might
happen before his turn did come, and meanwhile I was in friendly hands.
It was not the first time my dolly and I had sat together under a tree,
and, truth to say, I do not think she had any injuries to avenge.

"'When your wig comes off,' murmured Rosa, as she stole a pink kid arm
tenderly round my neck, 'I'll make you a cap with blue and white
rosettes, and pretend that you have had a fever.'

"I thanked her gratefully, and was glad to reflect that I was not yet
in need of an attention which I distinctly remember having shown to her
in the days of her dollhood. Presently she jumped up.

"'I think you shall go to bed now, dear,' she said, and, taking my hand
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