Forthwith, to Griselda's astonishment, they began solemnly to nod.
"Oh, how do you make them do that, Aunt Grizzel ?" she exclaimed.
"Never you mind, my dear; it wouldn't do for _you_ to try to make them nod.

They wouldn't like it," replied Miss Grizzel mysteriously.

"Respect to your elders, my dear, always remember that.

The mandarins are _many_ years older than you--older than I myself, in fact." Griselda wondered, if this were so, how it was that Miss Grizzel took such liberties with them herself, but she said nothing.
"Here is my last summer's pot-pourri," continued Miss Grizzel, touching a great china jar on a little stand, close beside the cabinet.

"You may smell it, my dear." Nothing loth, Griselda buried her round little nose in the fragrant leaves.
"It's lovely," she said.