Christmas Every Day and Other Stories Part 9

"Well, the story don't say exactly. But there's a report that when she became a fairy grandG.o.dmother, she was not half so severe about cleaning up, and let the poor old General-in-Chief have some peace of his life--or some war. There was a rebellion among the genii not long afterwards, and the General was about ten or fifteen years putting them down."

The nephew had been lying quiet a moment. Now he began to laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" demanded his uncle.

"The way that Khant scrambled up on top of the chariot when the cow came along. Just like a girl. They're all afraid of cows."

The tears came into the niece's eyes; she had a great many feelings, and they were easily hurt, especially her feelings about girls.

"Well, she wasn't afraid of the cannon, anyway."

"That is a very just remark," said the uncle. "And now what do you say to breakfast?"

The children sprang out of bed, and tried which could beat to the door.

They forgot to thank the uncle, but he did not seem to have expected any thanks.