We sit in a circle and one of us begins, and the next must add something, and so we go on.

But that way does not make a good plot.

My head was so full of the Book of Paradise that afternoon that I could not think of a story, but I said I would begin one.

So I began: "Once upon a time there was a Queen--" "How was she dressed ?" asked Adela, who thinks a good deal about dress.
"She had a beautiful dark-blue satin robe." "_Princesse_ shape ?" inquired Adela.
"No; Queen's shape," said Arthur.

"Drive on, Mary." "And lace ruffles falling back from her Highness's hands--" "Sweet!" murmured Adela.
"And a high hat, with plumes, on her head, and--" "A very low dwarf at her heels," added Arthur.
"Was there really a dwarf, Mary ?" asked Harry.
"There was," said I.
"Had he a hump, or was he only a plain dwarf ?" "He was a very plain dwarf," said Arthur.
"Does Arthur know the story, Mary ?" "No, Harry, he doesn't; and he oughtn't to interfere till I come to a stop." "Beg pardon, Mary.