Well, then, it was--not Spring, as the grownups would say--but
Marble-time--midway between Kite-time and the Time for Red
Strawberries, which comes in June.

One day, at the very beginning of this sunny season, the Toyman came
back from town. And as usual the children gathered around him. There
was no delay, no dilly-dallying, as there was when kindlings were
called for. It was funny to see how quickly they _could_ gather
when they heard the wheels come up the drive. Somehow their particular
creak was different from that of any other wheels--and the children
could tell it long before ever the wagon came in sight.

When they were younger, the children used to ask a question just as
the reins fell over the dashboard and the Toyman jumped to the ground.

"What have you got for me, Toyman?" it always was.

But not now, for Mother had explained it was very bad manners. And
Jehosophat and Marmaduke were trying hard to be "Little Gentlemen,"
and to show Hepzebiah a "Good Example."

Of course, just as Mother had expected, when she suggested all this,
Marmaduke asked,--

"But how can a _girl_ be a Little Gentleman?"

Mother made it clear.

"Well hardly," she said, "we wouldn't want her to be just that, but by