rt as the Princess Dove herself."

"I really think you do, Fluff, though you remember her dress was a
curious embroidery of rainbows and dew-drops sewn all over with
peacocks' eyes; but I assure you I like your white frock much better;
and the new hat is very pretty."

"But Fern!--"

"But Fluff!--"

"If I were to be lost--really and truly lost, you know--would the
funny old town-crier tell a long story about me as he did about the
dog when we were down by the sea last summer?"

"Of course he would, and mother and I would stand and listen to him
and try not to laugh. 'Lost, stolen, or strayed, a little witch-girl
in a clean white frock, rather too much starched; a frilled cape that
crackles when she moves, and a pretty broad-brimmed hat.' Well,
Fluffy, what does that mysterious look mean? you are very rude to
interrupt the old crier," and Fern tried to frown, while Fluff nodded
her head sagaciously.

"It would not be stolen or lost, it would be strayed like the sheep in
the turnip-field, when the shepherd turned them all out because they
had no business there. Supposing I strayed on purpose, Fern, you must
send a crier covered all over with gold lace to find me."

"Indeed! have you lost your senses, Fluff?"

"Never mind the senses; I saw them all five in china in Mrs. Watkins's
left hand corner-cupboard, china images she called them, and I thought
them so pretty. Give me the fourpence half-penny for buns, Fern--one
Bath, two plain, and a half-penny to the sweeper that takes me best
over the crossing."

"Oh, Fluff, Fluff, do be careful, and mind you do not go too far; come
back soon, like a good child."

"Of course I am good on my birthday. What did they do to Ananias and
Sapphira, Fern?"

"Dear me, what an odd question, Fluffy!"

"Never mind that; in the Sunday-school the teacher always answers the
children's questions directly; she is a very nice teacher though she
has red hair, but she can not help that."

"Oh, indeed! so I must tell you about Ananias and Sapphira. What is
the matter? how pale you look, my pet. Well, they fell down dead
because they had told a lie."

Fluff shifted her pence uneasily.

"That was the lie they told about the land and money that they wanted
to keep themselves. I think they were greedy people; one Bath, two
plain, and a half-penny for the sweeper. Here is the fourpence, Fern;
I don't think I shall be hungry until tea-time. Now, good-bye, I must
go."

"Why, Fluff, what