to
arrange one end of the stick on a chair, and the other on a stool; "but
I don't expect it is."

"We'll be more careful this time," said Trot. "You hold the
walking-stick so that it sha'n't slip, and I'll hold this long stick so
that I sha'n't slip."

"All right," said Toddles, in a tone of voice which meant that he
thought it was all wrong.

There was a loud scream this time--a scream that brought nurse up-stairs
very quickly, so that she might see what was the matter.

Both the children were on the floor, and sticks, chair, and stool were
flying in every direction.

For a minute nurse was doubtful which was Trot, which was Toddles, and
which were sticks and chair.

"What are you doing?" said nurse.

But neither of the children answered. Toddles's head felt as if it had
suddenly become twice its usual size, and Trot did not feel quite sure
where she was, or whether she was standing on her head or her heels.

[Illustration: "TODDLES AND TROT WERE SITTING SIDE BY SIDE."]

Nurse picked them up, and kissed them and comforted them, but quite
forgot to scold the two miserable little pickles.

They didn't say anything about the circus, and somehow or other Toddles
thought he would like to go to bed early; and of course there was no use
in Trot staying up by herself, so she went to bed early too.

Next morning the children slept late, and did not seem very eager to get
up when they did wake.

"Trot," said Toddles, sighing deeply, "it is the party day. What shall
we do about the circus?"

Trot only answered with something between a groan and a growl.

"Children," said mother, coming into the nursery after breakfast, "shall
we write to the boys and girls, and tell them to come another day?"

And though you will probably be astonished to hear it, Toddles and Trot
nodded their heads and smiled.

"You wouldn't like it not to be a success," said mother.

"Trot," said Toddles, when mother had left the room, "you won't write a
programme next time."

"If I do, Toddles," said Trot, "you may carry it out--out of the room, I
mean."

But after all there was one part of the programme carried out.

At four o'clock that same afternoon Toddles and Trot were sitting side
by side on the nursery floor, looking and feeling very unhappy and
miserable.

"If only we hadn't hurt ourselves," said Trot, "we might have been
having the party now."

"And the two kinds of jam," said Toddles. "Oh dear! oh dear!"

"Oh dear! o