were two prim ladies with little mouths and tight hair. One of them
said in quite an awful voice, 'Pauline, who are these children?' and her
voice was gruff; with very curly R's.

The little girl said we were Princes and Princesses--which was silly, to
a grown-up person that is not a great friend of yours.

The gruff lady gave a short, horrid laugh, like a husky bark, and said--

'Princes, indeed! They're only common children!'

Dora turned very red and began to speak, but the little girl cried out
'Common children! Oh, I am so glad! When I am grown up I'll always
play with common children.'

And she ran at us, and began to kiss us one by one, beginning with
Alice; she had got to H. O. when the horrid lady said--'Your Highness--
go indoors at once!'

The little girl answered, 'I won't!'

Then the prim lady said--'Wilson, carry her Highness indoors.'

And the little girl was carried away screaming, and kicking with her
little thin legs and her buttoned boots, and between her screams she
shrieked:

'Common children! I am glad, glad, glad! Common children! Common
children!'