"See, Red Riding-Hood," he said, "what pretty flowers are growing here; would you not like to rest and gather some? And don't you hear how sweetly the birds are singing? You are walking on as steadily as if you were going to school, and it is much more pleasant here in the wood." Then Red Riding-Hood looked up and saw the dancing sunbeams shining between the trees and lighting up the beautiful flowers that grew all around her, and she thought, "If I were to take my grandmother a fresh nosegay, it would make her so pleased; it is early yet, and I have plenty of time." So she went out of her way into the wood to gather flowers. And when she had picked a few, she saw some more beautiful still at a little distance so she walked on further and further, till she was quite deep in the wood. Meanwhile the wolf went straight on to the grandmother's house, and knocked at the door. There was no answer. So the wolf lifted the latch and the door flew open; then he rushed in, hoping to seize upon the poor old grandmother, and eat her up. But she had gone out for a little walk, so he shut the door, dressed himself in the old woman's nightgown and nightcap, and lay down in the bed to wait for Red Riding-Hood. After Red Riding-Hood had gathered as many flowers as she could carry, she found her way back quickly to the right path, and walked on very fast till she came to her grandmother's house, and knocked at the door. "Who is there?" said the wolf, trying to imitate the grandmother. His voice was so gruff, however, that Little Red Riding-Hood would have been frightened, only she thought her grandmother had a cold. So she replied: "It's Little Red Riding-Hood. Mother sent you a piece of cake and a bottle of wine." "Lift up the latch and come in," said the wolf. So Red Riding-Hood lifted the latch and went in. When she saw her grandmother, as she thought, lying in bed, she went up to her and drew back the curtains; but she could only see the head, for the wolf had pulled the nightcap as far over his face as he could. [Illustration: LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD. (ENGRAVED FROM THE PAINTING BY G. FERRIER.)] "Good-morning," she said; but there was no answer. Then she got on the bed, and cried out: "Grandmother, what great ears you have!" "The better to hear with, my dear," he said. "Grandmother, what great eyes you have!" "The better to see you, my dear, the better to see you." "Grandmother, what great teeth you have!" "The better to eat you up!" The old wolf jumped out of bed, and Little Red Riding Hood, in the greatest terror, screamed as loud as she could. Just then the door opened, and in came the grandmother and some woodmen who were passing. They were just in time to save Little Red-Riding-Hood from the old wolf. DOLLY'S DOCTOR MARY