most beautiful, colored “agates” were displayed at the sides.
Jump-ropes of variegated colors with handles, brilliantly painted, were
festooned at the back. One of the window shelves had been furnished
like a tiny room. A whole family of dolls sat about on the tiny
sofas and chairs. On the other shelf lay neat piles of blank-books
and paper-blocks, with files of pens, pencils, and rubbers arranged
in a decorative pattern surrounding them all.

In the show case, fresh candies had been laid out carefully on
saucers and platters of glass. On the counter was a big, flowered
bowl.

“To-morrow, I’m going to fill that bowl with asters,” Maida
explained.

“OI’m sure the choild has done foine,” Granny Flynn said, “Oi cudn’t
have done betther mesilf.”

“Now come and look at your rooms, Petronilla,” Billy begged, his
eyes dancing.

Maida opened the door leading into the living-room. Then she
squealed her delight, not once, but continuously, like a very happy
little pig.

The room was as changed as if some good fairy had waved a magic wand
there. All the woodwork had turned a glistening white. The wall
paper blossomed with garlands of red roses, tied with snoods of red
ribbons. At each of the three windows waved sash curtains of a snowy
muslin. At each of the three sashes hung a golden cage with a pair