And so she merrily dismissed them, nod-
ding to her would-be partners, one by one, as they
passed; but with a comical indifference, enough to
make them go and drown themselves immediately
if they were her admirers -- and they must have been
so, more or less; they couldn't help it. And yet
indifference was not her character. O no! For pres-
ently, there came a certain Carrier to the door; and
bless her what a welcome she bestowed upon him!
Again the staring figures turned upon him all at
once, and seemed to say 'Is this the wife who has
forsaken you!'
A shadow fell upon the mirror or the picture: call
it what you will. A great shadow of the Stranger,
as he first stood underneath their roof; covering its
surface, and blotting out all other objects. But the
nimble Fairies worked like bees to clear it off again.
And Dot again was there. Still bright and beautiful.
Rocking her little Baby in its cradle, singing to it
softly, and resting her head upon a shoulder which
had its counterpart in the musing figure by which the
Fairy Cricket stood.
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