have they, Bertram?'

Bertram did not answer: this shock system of punishment was new to him.
He felt muddled, but he began to think he would try it. He was not,
however, quite in a condition to see the Ameliorator clearly.

'And little Bobus doesn't like going to bed?' the Ameliorator asked,
turning to Bobus. 'My dear sir, it can be made the best thing in the
world. Let me tell you how to make it so. Directly you get into bed,
begin to think what pleasant little surprise you can give some one on
the next day: any one, mother or father, cousin or playmate, nurse or
beggar in the street. You will find this such an exciting game that you
will run to bed eagerly when the time comes, and, what is more, it makes
you readier to get up. At any rate, Bobus, try it.

'And little Aline,' the Ameliorator went on, taking Aline's hand and
beaming down upon her with his kindly eyes, which danced more than ever
behind his round spectacles, 'little Aline prefers cake to bread and
butter! Dear, dear, this is very sad. If she eats three pieces of bread
and butter she may have cake, but not till then. Well, I think I should
advise her to eat those three pieces. Little girls who eat only cake
grow up to be weedy and weak, and unable to do half the good things of
life: they can't skate, and they can't dance, and they can't play games.
So I should advise Aline to eat the bread and butter.'

IX

THE TOKENS

'Now,' said the little old man, 'you must run home or you'll be late for
dinner. But first let me find some little token of our conversation for
each,' and so saying, he went to the drawer labelled 'Prizes for Hard
Work,' and found something for Bertram; and to the drawer labelled
'Gifts for Forgetting Number One,' and found something for Beryl; and to
the drawer labelled 'Presents for Anticipating Wishes,' and found
something for Bobus; and to the drawer labelled 'Rewards for Hard Play,'
and found something for Aline.

'Now, good-bye,' said he, holding open the door.

But Bertram, who was always the leader, did not move. He seemed still to
have something on his mind.

'No, no,' said the Ameliorator, who was a wonderful thought-reader, 'no,
no, there is nothing to pay. Why, I have had the pleasure of your
company for a whole hour! That's payment enough for any one. Now run
along.'

'But,' Bertram faltered, still not moving, 'I haven't earned the "Prize
for Hard Work."'

'No,' said each of the others, 'I haven't earned