Pauline had no little brothers or sisters, and no little playmates.
Her father's home was away out in the country, far away from any
neighbors. Being so much alone, Pauline thought of all sorts of queer
ways to amuse herself. One day she invited her papa and mamma to go
down to see her "Nursery," as she called it. It was a little, square
piece of ground, enclosed by a neat low fence, made of narrow slats,
placed close together. All kinds of flowers were planted around it.
Besides, there were some little, flat buildings all along one side.
[Illustration: {TOADS.}]
[Illustration: PAULINE'S STRANGE PETS.]
What do you think they saw there? Toads of all sorts and sizes, from
the wee baby toads to the great big grandfathers. Then such a
strange array of garments!--for they were all dressed. Pauline had
made for her pets all kinds of clothes. There they were, hopping
around, some in bright calico dresses, and some in the funniest red
flannel pants and coats you ever saw.
[Illustration: {TOADS IN COSTUME.}]
Day after day Pauline went to her "Nursery" to feed and play with her
strange little pets. But one morning she ran down as usual, after
breakfast, to find all of the toad family had disappeared. The fence
that enclosed her "Nursery" was completely broken down. Not a single
toad was left of the funny creatures who had lived there.
Pauline felt very sorry to lose them. She told her mamma she was sure
they would all die of shame when they found other toads did not wear
any clothes at all.