park you ever saw. And there's ponies to ride on, and carriages
and carts; and a little railway, all complete, engine and guard's
van and all; and you work it yourself, and you can go first-
class, or in the van, or on the engine, just whichever you
choose."

"I'd go on the engine," she murmured dreamily. "No, I wouldn't,
I'd--"

"Then there's all the soldiers," I struck in. Really the line
had to be drawn somewhere, and I could not have my railway
system disorganised and turned upside down by a mere girl.
"There's any quantity of 'em, fine big soldiers, and they all
belong to me. And a row of brass cannons all along the terrace!
And every now and then I give the order, and they fire off all
the guns!"

"No, they don't," she interrupted hastily. "I won't have 'em
fire off any guns! You must tell 'em not to. I hate guns, and
as soon as they begin firing I shall run right away!"

"But--but that's what they're THERE for," I protested, aghast.

"I don't care," she insisted. "They mustn't do it. They can
walk about behind me if they like, and talk to me, and carry
things. But they mustn't fire off any guns."

I was sadly conscious by this time that in this brave palace of
mine, wherein I was wont to swagger daily, irresponsible and
unquestioned, I was rapidly becoming--so to speak--a mere lodger.