ed Mignon. "Only now and then he
gets a little wild when the people hurrah and clap very loud. But he
always knows me."

"How beautifully you do ride," went on Alice. "It looks just like flying
when you jump through the hoops. I wish I knew how. Is it very hard to
do?"

"No--except when I get tired. Then I don't do it well. But as long as
the music plays I don't feel tired. Sometimes before I come out I am
frightened, and think I can't do it at all, but then I hear the band
begin, and I know I can. Oh! don't you love music?"

"Y--es," said Alice wonderingly, for Mignon's eyes sparkled and her face
flushed as she asked this question. "I like music when it's pretty."

"I love it so _so_ much," went on Mignon confidentially. "It's like
flowers--and colors--all sorts of things--sunsets too. Our band plays
beautifully, don't you think so? It makes me feel as if I could do any
thing in the world, fly or dance on the air,--any thing! It's quite
different when they stop. Then I don't want to jump or spring, but just
to sit still. If they would keep on playing always, I don't believe I
should ever get tired."

"How funny!" said the practical Alice. "I never feel that way at all.
Aunty says I haven't got a bit of ear for music. Did you see Aunty at
the window this morning when you looked up?"

"Was that your Aunty? I thought it was your Mamma."

"No; I haven't got any Mamma. She died when I was a little baby. I don't
remember her a bit."

"Neither do I mine," said Mignon wistfully. "Mr. Currie says he guesses
I never had any. Do you think I could? Little girls always have Mammas,
don't they?"

"But haven't you an Aunty or any thing?" cried Alice.

Mignon shook her head.

"No," she said. "No Aunty."

"Why! Who takes care of you?"

"Oh, they all take care of me," replied Mignon smiling. "Madame
Orley,--that's Mrs. Currie, you know,--she's very kind. She curls my
hair and fastens my frock in the morning, and she always dresses me for
the performance herself. Mr. Currie,--he's kind too. He gave me these
anklets and my silver bracelets and two rings--see--one with a blue
stone and one with a red stone. Aren't they pretty? Goo-Goo is nice too.
He taught me to write last year. And old Jerry,--that's the head groom,
you know,--he's the kindest of all. He says I'm like his little
granddaughter that died, and wherever we go he almost always buys me a
present. Look what he gave me this morning," putting her hand into the
b