I wandered about the room, peeping in among the rows of quaint costumes, and thinking to myself what fun it would be to dress up in them.

But after a while I got tired, and I was hungry too, so I was very glad when grandmother, having hung out the last dress to air, said we must go down to dinner--my father had left some time before----" "What did you have for dinner, grandmother ?" said Sylvia.

"It isn't that I care so much about eating," she added, blushing a little, "but I like to know exactly the sort of way people lived, you know." "Only I wish you wouldn't interrupt grandmother," said Molly.

"I'm _so_ afraid it'll be bed-time before she finishes the story." "Which isn't yet begun--eh, Molly ?" said grandmother.

"I warned you my stories were sadly deficient in beginning and end, and middle too--in short they are not stories at all." "Never mind, they're _very_ nice," said Molly; "and if I may sit up till this one's done I don't mind your telling Sylvia what you had for dinner, grandmother dear." "Many thanks for your small majesty's gracious permission," said grandmother.