me and have some sugar,
dear!" The lamb, which was a very pretty one, came up to be petted, and
ate a lump of sugar with every sign of approval.

"What did you say his name was?" asked Fluff.

"Belladonna," replied Roger, "because he wears a bell, you know. _I_
think it is a very pretty name, but Mamma laughs at it."

"It's medicine, isn't it?" said Fluff, doubtfully.

"Well, yes!" said Roger; "but that doesn't make any difference. Rhubarb
is medicine, too, and yet it makes nice pies and tarts."

"So it does!" said Fluff; "I never thought of that. And have your other
pets, medicine-names, too, Roger?"

"The dog is Blanco," replied Roger. "I called him that before I had him,
because I thought he was going to be white, and Blanco means white. And
then he went and was black when he came, but I don't like to change
names, so I called him so just the same. And I call my cat Plunket,
after the story of the Chattering Cat, and the rabbit is Binks, and--oh!
well, let us go in and see them, for they are all in the play-room, and
it is hot out here!"

[Illustration]

And Roger led the way to the house, while Fluff followed meekly,
wondering, as she said afterwards to Brighteyes, how any one could talk
so fast without "getting his tongue all tied up with his teeth."

In the large, sunny play-room I left the two little ones, having a grand
game of romps with Blanco and Binks, while the birds, let loose from
their cage, fluttered about their heads, in no fear of the well-behaved
cat, who sat and looked at them as if she had no idea that they were
good to eat. Yes it was a regular Happy Family, and a very pretty
sight.

[Illustration]

But I wanted to see what Nibble and Brighteyes were about, so I turned
my glass towards the beach, which was not far from the house, though in
the other direction. There I found my two eldest mice deep in
consultation. Nibble was just saying, "but, Bright, mermaids don't have
legs and tails, too, for that would be ridiculous. Don't you remember?

'The little white mermaidens live in the sea,
In a palace of silver and gold.
And their neat little tails are all covered with scales,
Most beautiful for to behold.'

But it doesn't say anything about legs, and there aren't any in the
pictures." "I can't help it, Nibble!" replied Brighteyes, rather
pettishly. "I can't cut off my legs, and I _am_ going to play mermaid. I
can be the queen, and queens h