"No, only of an old story I have heard," said mamma.

"Oh, do tell it," said Max and Dolly.

[Pg 21]

[Pg 21]

CHAPTER III

 IS scarcely a 'story,'" said their mother, "it was only about a tremendous quarrel there once was in ancient times between some people as to what colour a certain shield was. One party declared it was black; the other maintained it was white. Both were ready to swear to the fact, and I don't know what terrible consequences might not have followed, had it not suddenly been discovered that—what do you think? Can you guess?"

 IS scarcely a 'story,'" said

IS

their mother, "it was only

about a tremendous quarrel

there once was in ancient

times between some people

as to what colour a certain

Max and Dolly knitted their brows and pondered. But no, they could not guess.[Pg 22]

[Pg 22]

"What was it, mamma?" they asked.

"One side of the shield was black and the other white," said she, with a quiet little smile, "so both were right and both were wrong."

The children considered. It was very interesting.

"But," said Max, "it couldn't be like that with Dolly and me—there couldn't be thirteen and not be thirteen."

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