Catherine's "At Home" by Anatole France — Read

IT is five o'clock. Mademoiselle Catherine is "at home" to her dolls. It is her "day." The dolls do not talk; the little Genie that gave them their smile did not vouchsafe the gift of speech. He refused it for the general good; if dolls could talk, we should hear nobody but them. Still there is no lack of conversation. Mademoiselle Catherine talks for her guests as well as for herself; she asks questions and gives the answers.

"How do you do? -- Very well, thank you. I broke my arm yesterday morning going to buy cakes. But it's quite well now. -- Ah! so much the better. -- And how is your little girl? -- She has the whooping-cough. -- Ah! what a pity! Does she cough much? -- Oh! no, it 's a whooping-cough where there's no cough. You know I had two more children last week. -- Really? that makes four doesn't it? -- Four or five, I've forgotten which. When you have so many, you get confused. -- What a pretty frock you have. -- Oh! I 've got far prettier ones still at home. -- Do you go to the theatre? -- Yes, every evening. I was at the Opera yesterday; but Polichinelle wasn't playing, because the wolf had eaten him. -- I go to dances every day, my dear. -- It is so amusing. -- Yes, I wear a blue gown and dance with the young men, Generals, Princes, Confectioners, all the most distinguished people. -- You look as pretty as an angel to-day, my dear. -- Oh! it's the spring. -- Yes, but what a pity it's snowing.