Edith King Hall

“ So great that it kept her silent.
"You seem rather surprised," said the little Marionette. "Why?"
"Why, I never knew you could talk!" she exclaimed, recovering a little from her surprise. "Or any other toy, either," she added.
"Life is full of surprises," remarked the little Marionette; "especially in the toy-shop."
"I wish you would tell me all about it," said the little girl, becoming bolder. "If toys can walk and talk, why don't children know it?"
"Because, although they have known many toys, yet they are very ignorant regarding their habits," she answered. "That is the reason. ”

“ I can only say that our power of talking to a Mortal--a power which comes but once in the lifetime of every toy--generally lasts from a fortnight to three weeks."
The little girl clapped her hands.
"You will be able to talk to me, then, every day that I am here!" she exclaimed with pleasure. "I am only going to stay with my aunt and my cousin for twelve days longer." ”

“ A little girl, who had come to stay there with her aunt--the owner of the shop--and her little cousin, was always to be found amongst the toys; she was forever picking up and admiring this one, stroking that one, nursing another. All her spare moments were spent in the shop.
It so happened one evening that she wandered in after the shutters were put up, and the place was deserted. She paused before the spot where she was accustomed to find her favorite doll, a little lady Marionette, who, when wound up, danced gayly in company with her partner, a very fine gentleman. ”