"But I don't believe in them, Walter. I think they
were only make believe."
"How make believe?" asked the little fellow in perplexity.
"Ask Mr. Lilburn."
"Come, explain yourself, young man," said that gentleman laughingly.
"I've heard of ventriloquists, sir," said Max. "I don't know if you are
one, but as pup and hen could only be heard and not seen, I think it must
have been a ventriloquist's work."
"But you don't know for certain," said Rosie, coming to his side, "and
please don't say anything to Zoe, or Lulu, or Gracie about it."
"I won't," he said, as the door opened and the three entered, Zoe having
overtaken the two little girls on their way down-stairs after being
dressed for the evening by the careful and expert Agnes.
"Mamma, do I look nice enough for your little girl?" asked Gracie, going
to Violet's side.
"Very nice and sweet, my darling," was the whispered reply, accompanied by
a tender caress.
Walter, hardly waiting until the necessary introductions were over, burst
out eagerly, "Zoe, do you know where that pup is?"
"What pup?" she asked.
"I don't know his name."
"Well, what about him?"
"I thought he was in Max's pocket, but he wasn't, and neither was the
hen.
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