The little girl's astonishment at this reply was very great. So great that it kept her silent. "You seem rather surprised," said the little Marionette. "Why?" "Why, I never knew you could talk!" she exclaimed, recovering a little from her surprise. "Or any other toy, either," she added. "Life is full of surprises," remarked the little Marionette; "especially in the toy-shop." "I wish you would tell me all about it," said the little girl, becoming bolder. "If toys can walk and talk, why don't children know it?" "Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant regarding their habits," she answered. "_That_ is the reason. "At the same time," she continued, "as it is, generally speaking, only when mortals are not present that we _can_ move and speak freely, this ignorance is, perhaps, partly excusable." "But how long will you be able to go on talking to me?" "That I can't tell you. I can only say that our power of talking to a Mortal--a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every toy--generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks." The little girl clapped her hands. "You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!" she exclaimed with pleasure. "I am only going to stay with my aunt and my cousin for twelve days longer." She paused a moment, then added: "How I should like you to tell me some stories of toys--a new story every day, you know. Couldn't you do that?" The little Marionette looked doubtful. "Before I attempt anything of the sort, I shall have to consult Father Christmas--the well-known and much-esteemed patriarch. As he is the Head of our Society, I should like to do nothing without his advice and sanction." The little girl sighed anxiously. "I _do_ hope he'll say 'yes'," she said. "I want so much to hear stories of toys told by a toy." "I'll do my best to please you," said the little Marionette. "Come here at the same time to-morrow,--by yourself, for I can only speak before one Mortal at a time,--and I will see what I can do." "Thank you," she said gratefully. "Please give my best love to Father Christmas; and tell him if he says 'yes' I will see that Auntie puts him at the very top of the Christmas tree." She turned to go, then paused and came back. "I should just like to ask you one thing before I go," she said. "Don't you and your partner enjoy dancing together?" The pink cheeks of the little lady seemed to grow a little pinker. "Perhaps we do," she replied. "I thought so," remarked her new friend with some satisfaction. "Good evening! I shall come again to-morrow at this same time." CHAPTER II The next evening the little girl returned to the Noah's Ark, where she found the little Marionette in the same position. "Well!" she said eagerly.