petulantly.

"There are ever so many sleepy folks in this world," observed the Dream.

"Then one more can't make much difference," said Marjorie.

"That's what the others think,--and that's why there are so many.
Suppose every one thought that!"

Marjorie pondered for a moment,--then she laughed. "Just think what a
great big alarm-clock it would take to wake them all up!" she said.

The Dream rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "An alarm-clock is a pretty
noisy article," he observed, "and it never says anything; and besides, I
don't like its name. But one good, wide-awake person--" he looked
directly at Marjorie, "--one good, wide-awake person could waken a very
great many people--if he wanted to. But go on to sleep if you choose. I
won't bother you."

"I'm not sleepy any more," said Marjorie; "and anyway, I slept only a
little while after you spoke."

The Dream nodded. "Only a little while,--just long enough to let your
work pass you by."

"_My_ work?" exclaimed Marjorie. "Why, I hadn't anything in particular
to do!"

"Every one has something in particular to do," said the Dream, "if he
has his hand ready;--but yours wasn't,--it was under your cheek."