She took life very easily and happily, till it happened one day that she saw the Bicycle-man, and unfortunately fell in love with him as he went by. He was a very handsome fellow, and made a good appearance upon his bicycle. Directly the Little Dancer saw him she loved him, and she lost no time in telling him so. She spoke without any hesitation. "Dear heart, I love you," she said as she danced. Now the Bicycle-man was very vain, and was therefore not a little gratified at the impression he had made. But he pretended to be much displeased. "You should not have said that until I had first said something of the sort," replied the Bicycle-man. "It was not your place to speak first. You are very forward." And he rode on. The Little Dancer was much distressed. "He is angry," she said to her friend the Little China Doll next to her, with the two long flaxen pigtails hanging down her back. "He is angry." And she danced more slowly and less gaily. "What of that?" said her friend, tossing her head. "It is of no consequence." "No; it is of no consequence," repeated the Little Dancer. But she felt unhappy. The next day the Bicycle-man passed that way again, and she danced her very best, hoping to win his heart. "That is really not bad," he said; "not at all bad. You dance quite nicely, as dancing goes." "Oh sweetheart, I love you!" she said, encouraged by his praise. "I really cannot stand such remarks," said the Bicycle-man. "They make me both angry and confused." And he went on, leaving her in tears. "Why do you trouble about him?" said the Little China Doll. "He is not worth it. A penny Toy, indeed! You turn his head. Take no more notice of him." "I won't," replied the Little Dancer tearfully. So the next time he stopped to watch her dancing she did not speak to him. "You are getting rude now," he said. "I am not sure whether that is not worse than being forward." "What shall I say?" asked the Little Dancer. "My words do not please you." "I should not be displeased if you were to say 'good-day'," he replied. "It would only be polite, and I never find fault with politeness." "Good-day," she said, as she practised her steps. "Is that all?" he inquired. "That is all," she answered. "I have a bit of news for you," he said. "I am thinking of marrying the doll to whom the Red House belongs. It is a comfortable house, well built, and well appointed. You shall come and have tea with us." The Little Dancer burst into tears, and her feet moved more slowly. "Why are you crying?" asked the Bicycle-man, with pretended surprise. "Dear heart, Oh dear heart, I love you!" she wept. "Well, well, so do many others," he answered. "It isn't my fault" And mounting his bicycle he rode away. "Don't you see you are making him terribly conceited?" said the Little China Doll. "It is absurd of you. Try to be more sensible." "I love him so, I love him so!" sobbed the Little Dancer. "My heart is broken."