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FRED came down late to breakfast that morning so late that all the other members of the family were through, and had gone about their respective duties. But though he had slept so long, Fred was still sleepy, for he had staid up until twelve o'clock the night before, whereas he was usually in bed by nine. To tell the truth, he was also rather cross,- - as most boys are apt to be when they are sleepy,- and as he took his seat he said: "Pshaw! there's nothing on the breakfast table."

Then he called lazily, "K-a-t-e! K-a-t-e!" But no Kate replied, for an excellent reason,- she did n't hear him; she was out in the poultry-yard feeding the chickens. So Fred leaned forward with a very discontented expression on his face, and closed his eyes; but he soon opened them again, and began to sneeze. A pungent odor had tickled his nose. "Ker-chew! ker-chew! k-e-r-chew! What in the world did that?" said he.

"I did," replied a sharp little voice, and there

on the table, before him, stood a small creature dressed in green, and wearing the brightest of bright red caps.

"And who are you?" asked Fred.

"I'm Pepper." And the wee thing went hopping and skipping about in the nimblest manner, talking rapidly all the time. "Nothing on the breakfast table,' hey? I believe that 's what you said; and I call it decidedly ungrateful in you to say so, when there are a number of things here, brought from all parts of the world to serve you and the other animals that laugh." "That laugh?" repeated Fred. "Yes

that laugh. Don't you know-I'm sure you must be old enough to know-that of all the animal creation, only the human race - I think that 's what it's called can laugh? And when one considers," Pepper went on, "that I come away from the East Indies to help season your food, one would suppose that you would be somewhat obliged to me, and would not count me as nothing."

"That's true!" joined in a second little voice, and another small figure, wearing a pure white dress dotted with shining crystals, and a wreath of what seemed to be baby-snowflakes, sprang from the glass salt-cellar.

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"Is it possible you don't know me?" exclaimed the pretty thing reproachfully.

"You-look-like-Wheat?" ventured Fred. "I am Wheat!" and the feathery plumes waved lightly, as though stirred by a summer breeze, "and you have me to thank for Bread, which one of your wise ones has said is the staff of life.""

"Oh! I beg your pardon, too," said Fred. "I would n't be without Bread for anything,- not even cake. Why Bread is one of the very first things I remember. Bread and —"

"Butter," cried a jolly fat fellow in creamcolored garments. "Ha! ha! I fancy all young folks become acquainted with me and my fast

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thing!" declared Fred, with emphasis. "Please consider yourself included in my apology to your chums- friends, I mean."

"And how about me?" called the sweetest voice of all from the top of the syrup-jug, where sat a brown-faced elf, in a suit like jointed armor, a flower in one hand and a greenish stick in the other. "I belong to the sugar-cane, and I come from the West Indies to give you syrup for your bread and griddle-cakes, and sugar for your tea and coffee."

"I suppose I need n't tell you, my boy," exclaimed another sprite (with a pigtail), sitting astride the handle of the teapot," that I,-Tea, at your service,- come from China. And I shall

gently remark that I am not at all used to being considered as nothing."

"And we," spoke two more quaint, wee creatures in the same breath, as they peeped from behind the coffee-pot, "have traveled from Java and Arabia to bring you pleasure. Surely you forgot us when —'

"So I did - so I did!" interrupted Fred, "dear Coffee, or perhaps I should say Coffees. And it strikes me, as it struck my lively friend Pepper-that I've been decidedly ungrateful."

And he seemed very thoughtful when, his little visitors disappearing as suddenly as they had appeared, Kate brought in some crisp slices of buttered toast, a plate of delicious wheat cakes and golden syrup, and a cup of steaming coffee.

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DICKY DOT (boyish and buoyant).
DOTTY DICK (matronly and maidenly).
ARABELLA, the Doll (non-committal).

[Let the characters be taken by two as bright little children as can be selected for the parts; the younger the better. DOTTY, a little girl of six or seven, and DICKY, a little boy of seven or eight. The only properties necessary are the doll and doll-carriage, with afghan and a small umbrella. Dress in taking costumes of today, with ulsters and large hats, if possible, for better effect. DICKY, at least, should have an ulster and hat. Caution the children to speak slowly and distinctly.]

[DOTTY enters, right, wheeling ARABELLA in doll-carriage; stops at

center.

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And does n't he think he just looks fine! In boys, it's too distressing

To see them thinking of their clothes-we girls must mind our dressing.

[Enter DICKY, at the left, lifting his hat. Good morning, Mr. Dicky Dot; I hope you're well and hearty.

DICKY (taking his hat off politely).

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Dotty Dick; I'm quite a healthy party.

And how are you, and [bending over carriage] how 's the child- Miss Arabella Florence?

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She does enjoy such feeble health, I'm in a constant fever!

I hardly dare to take her out-I can't go off and leave her.

And so, you see, I'm tied at home; it's such a wear and bother!

Oh, Mr. Dicky Dot, be glad that you are not
a mother.

DICKY (thankfully). I'm sure I'm glad.
DOTTY. Ah yes! our lives are just a lot of worry,
While all you boys have easy times, all fun,
and play, and hurry.

DICKY. Oh, no, we don't.

DOTTY. Oh, yes, you do.

DICKY. We have to work for true, though. DOTTY. Well, so do we, and worry, too- that does n't trouble you, though.

You walk around in pantaloons

DICKY (with an injured air). Only one pocket though, ma'am.

DOTTY. A brand new ulster.

DICKY (proudly). Aint it nice? I'm really quite a show, ma'am.

DOTTY. And here I have to tend and mind a dreadful fretty baby.

I'm just a nurse-girl, I declare!

DICKY (consolingly). She'll soon get better.
DOTTY (dubiously). May be.

DICKY (seriously). You 're only play-mad; are n't you, now?

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DICKY (taken all aback by this grandeur).

Well I must say-of all the girls that plague, and tease, and tickle us

You are about the-. Dotty Dick, I-really-amDOTTY (sarcastically). Re-dick-alous!

Oh, Dicky Dot! Oh, Dicky Dot! do you think only you, sir,

Can grow up big, and grand, and fine? What you do, I can do, sir!

So why can't we be partners, then

as when we're playing?

- the same

You be the General - I'll be Queen, whom all the world's obeying.

And you will be so brave and strong, that none
can ever humble me.

DICKY (bombastically). Yes, I'll protect you!
DOTTY (starting suddenly away from carriage).

Oh! what's that?-a dreadful, horrid bumble-
bee!

DICKY (running away). Look out! he'll sting you!
[Opens umbrella, and holds it before him.

DOTTY (piteously). Drive him off!
DICKY (backing farther off).

I can't! he'll sting a fellow.
Come under the umbrella-quick! He's there

by Arabella.

[DOTTY runs under the umbrella, and they both sit on the ground, central, under cover of its protection. Then they cautiously put their heads out, at opposite sides, and look at each other. DOTTY (sarcastically). Well, Major-General Richard Dot, you are a brave defender.

DICKY (apologetically). I'm 'fraid of bees DOTTY (critically). But generals ought n't to be quite so tender!

DICKY (starting bravely to his feet). Queei. Dora, shall I charge the foe?

DOTTY (rising, but guarding herself with the open umbrella).

Do, General, I implore you!

He's at my daughter! Oh, see there! Save her, and I'll adore you!

DICKY (pulling off his hat, charges manfully
toward the carriage, beating the air as if he were
striking down a bee). Be off, you traitor! (dodging
him). No, you don't! Ha! ha! I've killed him,
Dotty! (Clapping his hand to his mouth).
Oh! oh! he's stung me!

DOTTY (dropping the umbrella,
Dicky's side, full of sympathy.)
Dicky! Where?

and rushing to

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