"To be sure," exclaimed Jasper, looking around, "where is the Princess's
page?"

"He's gone to the dentist's," said Polly, making a wry face. "Auntie had
to make the appointment for this afternoon, and we couldn't put off the
rehearsal; Clare can't come any other time, you know."

Phronsie turned an anxious face to the window. "I hope he's not being
hurt very much," she said slowly.

"I don't believe he is," Polly made haste to answer most cheerfully, "it
was only one tooth, you know, Phronsie, to be filled. Auntie says Dr.
Porter told her the rest are all right."

But a cloud rested on the Princess's face. "One tooth is something," she
said.

"Just think how nice it will be when it is all over, and Dick comes
scampering in," cried Jasper, with great hilarity.

"Do climb up on the sofa, Phronsie," urged Polly, looking into the pale
little face, "you must sit down and rest a bit, you're so tired."

"I will read the prologue while she rests," said Jasper.

"So you can," said Polly. "Take care, child," in alarm, "you mustn't
curl up in the corner like that; princesses don't ever do so."

"Don't they?" said Phronsie, flying off from the lovely corner, to
straighten out again into the dignity required; "not when they are