Chapter 115
The Top and BallA WHIPPING TOP and a little ball lay together in a box,
among other toys, and the top said to the ball, "Shall we be
married, as we live in the same box?"
But the ball, which wore a dress of morocco leather, and
thought as much of herself as any other young lady, would not even
condescend to reply.
The next day came the little boy to whom the playthings
belonged, and he painted the top red and yellow, and drove a
brass-headed nail into the middle, so that while the top was
spinning round it looked splendid.
"Look at me," said the top to the ball. "What do you say
now? Shall we be engaged to each other? We should suit so well; you
spring, and I dance. No one could be happier than we should
be."
"Indeed! do you think so? Perhaps you do not know that
