194

CHAPTER XIV.
THE INTERRUPTION AND CONCLUSION 210

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[Illustration]

TALES OF THE TOYS.

CHAPTER I.--INTRODUCTORY.

THE TURNING OUT OF THE TOY CUPBOARD.

"Hurrah! We are going to have such a jolly holiday!" shouted Frank,
suddenly bursting out of his imprisonment in the slate closet, to the
great disturbance of his sisters, who were peaceably occupied with their
lessons.

"Frank," said Miss Watson, "I must really at last report you to your
Papa. I do not like to trouble him if I can help it, but I am afraid you
will oblige me to do so. I desired you not to leave the book closet
until you had made up your mind to sit straight on your chair, and go
through the multiplication table properly."

"We're to go to Sandbay for a month!" shouted Frank, capering about and
clapping his hands.

"To Sandbay, Frank! oh, how charming!" cried Celia and Florry, with one
voice.

"We shall be able to collect so many shells, and perhaps to get some
anemones!" said Celia.

"I shall make such gardens and ovens in the sand!" cried Florry, opening
her blue eyes as wide as possible. "I wonder what has become of my
spade?"

"I'll leave Pa no peace till he takes me out for a sail," said Frank,
whose antics had not yet subsided.

"I think you have all gone suddenly mad!" said Miss Watson. "Celia, I am
surprised at _you_! I have ceased to hope for quiet manners from Frank,
and Florry is so little, she scarcely knows better; but your giddiness
is not usual."

"I beg your pardon, Miss Watson," replied Celia, demurely; "only it was
so nice to think of going to the Sea."

"But I don't understand the matter now," said poor Miss Watson, looking
very mystified; "you knew nothing about this at breakfast, Frank, and
how your companionship with the books and slates in the cupboard has
enlightened you now, I don't know, nor can I give even a remote guess!"

"Why, the store cupboard in the dining room is next to the book closet,"
replied Frank, eagerly, "and just now, when I had got my hand on the
lock of the door to come out and tell you I had had enough of solitary
imprisoning, I heard Mamma come into the store cupboard (for some jam, I
daresay!) and she said out loud to somebody, 'I mean to take the
children for a month to Sandbay this summer!' That's what made me rush
out to tell the girls the good news!"

"Well, Frank, I never believed you