Reginald was to be the little page, and the other parts were
assigned, Aunt Charlotte choosing for each of the girls the part which
best fitted her.

At first Arabella had seemed greatly interested, but as soon as Jeanette
had been chosen for the fairy queen, she left the group, and turning
toward the window, looked out into the garden.

Flossie called to her. "Come, Arabella!" she cried. "We're going to
read our dialogue now."

The others took their places, and Arabella turned, and slowly joined
them.

"We will pass the book from one to another, and thus read the little
play through," said Aunt Charlotte, "and I will copy each part
carefully, that each can memorize all that she has to say. When you have
learned your lines, we will have our first rehearsal."

"Hooray!" said Reginald, and although the girls laughed, they were quite
as eagerly delighted as he.

They left the cottage, and as they walked down the avenue they talked of
the pretty dialogue, each insisting that she liked her part best.

"But mine's the best," said Reginald, "for I'm the only boy in it."
"Mine's the best, for I'm the queen," said Jeanette, and she held her
head very high, as she looked toward her playmates.

"_All_ the parts are nice," Nancy said, "and we'll have a fine
entertainment."

Arabella had stopped to arrange her books in her desk, and was the last
to leave the cottage.

"I like to see that you are orderly," Aunt Charlotte said, as Arabella
passed her on her way to the door.

She made no reply, but hurried down the walk.

"An odd child, truly," Aunt Charlotte said, as she looked after the
slender little figure.

The next day each girl received a copy
of her lines, and Wednesday of the next
week was set for the first rehearsal.

* * * * *

"I know every word I have to say," said Jeanette, as she walked along
toward the cottage with Katie Dean.

It was Wednesday morning, and the first rehearsal was set for the
afternoon.

"I _guess_ I know mine, but I'm not sure. Aunt Charlotte will have the
book and she can prompt me," Katie said.

"I know mine," boasted Reginald; "I have to run in right after the
fairy, and say, 'Here is your magic wand, oh, queen,'"

"I guess you can't say it _that_ way," laughed Jeanette, "for Aunt
Charlotte wouldn't let you. You said it just as if you'd said, 'Here is
a great, big sandwich, oh, queen!'"

"Well, I _didn't_ say that, and you needn't laugh. It