"No, I thank you, sir," replied she, walking the floor with the air of
an injured princess. "No, I thank you, sir."

"How, now, little one? You don't mean to be angry with me for a little
joke?"

"No, I thank you."

And that was all Dotty would say. She was wise enough to know she was
too angry to speak.

"Ah, ha! temper, I see!" thought Major Lazelle; "I did not suspect it
from that quarter."

If the young gentleman had only known how hard the little girl was
struggling just then to control herself, he would have liked her better
than ever.

Her father chided her next morning for taking a joke so seriously. Dotty
replied with a deep sigh,--

"Papa, that major 'sposes I'm only five years old! That's what Dollyphus
s'posed! I don't like it, papa, when I can travel so well; and how'd _I_
know what a wig was, well; you and mamma never had any?"

But Dotty smiled as benevolently as she could when she met the major
again. He was a little afraid of her, however. He did not enjoy playing
with her as he had enjoyed it before. He now felt obliged to be on his
guard, lest she should take offence.