Adventures in Toyland Part 15

She smiled.

"Oh, you smile!" he said. "Then you do not mind very much after all."

"I smile because it makes me happy to hear you speak kindly to me again," she answered.

But her answer did not please him.

"You smile at everything," he said "Nothing troubles you much."

"It troubles me that you should be going away; away from me into the wide world," she said.

"It will trouble you for half an hour, not longer," said he. "Only half an hour, that's all. I must leave you now."

"Don't," said she. "_Stay._"

"I can't," said he. "Good-bye."

And he went straight away without another word.

"He does not know how dear he is to my heart or he would not leave me so," said the little Marionette to herself after he had left.

Then she threw herself down on the counter and cried as if her heart were breaking. She threw herself down so violently that she broke her nose and knocked her eyes awry. But she was too miserable to care. She lay still and cried on.

At last a friend of hers came along--a friend who was a Doll of common sense and practical ways.

"What is all this about?" she asked. "Why are you crying?"

"Because half an hour may last for so long," wept the little Marionette.

"You are talking nonsense," she replied contemptuously. "Everybody knows that half an hour can only last thirty minutes."

"Not always. It may sometimes last a whole year--many years."

"Tut, tut!" replied the common-sense Doll; "you have no reasoning power.

That I can see by your face. Still, if I can help you I will. What would you have me do?"

"Give me back my dream," said the Marionette. Then she covered her face with her hands and gave a great sigh.

The common-sense Doll looked even more practical than before.

"That is it, is it?" she said. "A morbid longing after a Dream. I begin to understand. Nerves,--indigestion,--too many sweet things,--I fear I cannot, then, be of much a.s.sistance. However, the General of the Tin Soldiers has a wonderful turn for doctoring, quite a natural gift. I will send him to you. He may be able to do you some good."

So she went on her way, and the little Marionette was once more alone with her sorrow and regret.

By and by, however, the General of the Tin Soldiers trotted up on his handsome black charger, and reined in before her.

"My dear little lady," he said kindly, if pompously, "in what pitiful condition do I find you? Come, come, tell an old soldier, who has been through much himself, all about it." And, as she did not at once answer: "Well," he continued good-naturedly, "never mind. Do not trouble to speak, I will prescribe for you. I recognize your complaint, and have already treated with much success a large number of my Tin Soldiers suffering in the same way. This, then, is my prescription for your malady: plenty of fresh air; exercise in moderation; early hours and plain diet. But don't let your diet become monotonous. For example, a rice pudding one day, sago the next, tapioca the third. And a little gentle amus.e.m.e.nt every now and then to keep up your spirits; Christy Minstrels; a pleasant, little musical gathering of friends; and so on.

Finally, a powerful tonic to put a little more color into those poor little cheeks. Kindly permit me to feel your pulse."

And so saying the General bent from his saddle and courteously took the little Marionette's hand. Then, looking much alarmed, "_Galloping, galloping!_" he exclaimed, "I must do likewise, and order you a tonic at the nearest chemist's without delay."

And putting spurs into his horse he rode away hurriedly.

"All that won't do me any good," said the little Marionette aloud. "I don't want that."

"What do I want?" she sighed.

"A jest, my good creature," said a voice near her, and looking up she saw the Clown with his hands in his pockets dancing a double-shuffle in front of her.

"A jest," he repeated. Then as he danced and shook the bells on his cap, he chanted in time to the movement of his feet--

"Broken nose and crooked eyes, Broken heart and mournful sighs,-- Life's a jest for a' that."

"No, it isn't; not to me," answered the little Marionette very sadly.

"It will be, by and by," he said cheerfully.

"No; not to me," she repeated.

The Clown looked at her with sympathy.

"Shall I tell you a good story?" he asked. "Quite one of my best?"

"You are very kind," said the little Marionette. "I think, though, I would rather hear it another time, if you do not mind."

"Not at all," answered the Clown as he danced away, jingling his bells as he went. "_I_ don't mind, I'm not easily hurt. But take my advice, if the situation is not a jest in itself make a jest dove-tail into the situation. Good-bye, my little friend. Cheer up."

"Cheer up!" repeated the little lady. "But it is not easy. I shall have to wait until the half-hour is over before I can do that."

After this she lay on the counter quietly, without taking notice of anything or anyone. And the other Toys, seeing she wished to be left to herself, did not disturb her.

By and by, the time when the Toys are able to talk and move about pa.s.sed by, and they all became still once more: just as you are accustomed to see them. And people pa.s.sed in and out, and to and fro, but the little lady Marionette lay un.o.bserved--alone and unhappy in her corner of the counter.

"The half-hour is very long," she said. "Will it ever end? My heart is very heavy...."

The little Marionette made a long pause.

"Go on, if you please," said the little girl.

But the little lady remained silent.

"_Do_ go on," repeated her small friend.

Yet she never answered.

"What is the matter with you?" asked the little girl impatiently.

She looked closely at the Marionette as she spoke.