In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

TO

_SARAH G. PEIRCE_

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. DOTTY'S PIN-MONEY, 7

II. PLAYING KING AND QUEEN, 23

III. THE WHITE TRUTH, 42

IV. DOTTY'S CAMEL, 57

V. A SAD FRIGHT, 68

VI. MAKING POETRY, 94

VII. A DAY ON THE SOFA, 109

VIII. WASHING THE PIG, 122

IX. A DARK DAY, 139

X. "THE END OF THE WORLD," 156

XI. CRAZY DUCKLINGS, 170

XII. "THE CHARLIE BOY," 182

DOTTY DIMPLE AT HER GRANDMOTHER'S.

CHAPTER I.

DOTTY'S PIN-MONEY

Everything was very fresh and beautiful one morning in May, as if God
had just made the world. The new grass had begun to grow, and the fields
were dotted over with short, golden-topped dandelions.

The three Parlin children had come to their grandmother's much earlier
in the season than usual; and now on this bright Sabbath morning they
were going to church.

Dotty Dimple, otherwise Alice, thought the fields looked like her Aunt
Maria's green velvet toilet-cushion stuck full of pins. The spiders had
spread their gauzy webs over the grass, and the dew upon them sparkled
in the sunshine like jewels. "Such nice tablecloths as they would have
made for the fairies," thought Dotty, "if there only were any fairies."

"The world is ever so much handsomer than it was a week ago," said
Prudy, pointing towards the far-off hills. "I'd like to be on that
mountain, and just put my hand out and touch the sky."

"That largest pick," said Dotty, "is Mount Blue. It's covered with
blueberries, and that's why it's so blue."

"Who told you that?" asked Susy, smiling. "It isn't time yet for
blueberries; and if it was, we couldn't see them forty miles off without
a telescope."

"Jennie Vance told me," said Dotty; "and she ought to know, for her
father is the judge."

By this time the children had reached the church, and were waiting on
the steps for the rest of the family. It was pleasant to watch the
people coming from up and down the street, looking so neat and peaceful.
But when Jennie Vance drew near with her new summer silk and the elegant
feather in her hat, Dotty's heart gave a quick