Now this dolly had been through a great deal . Her head had been cut off -LRB- and put on again -RRB- ; she had been washed , buried , burnt , torn , soiled , and banged about till she was a mournful object . Poppy loved her very much ; for she was two feet tall , and had once been very handsome : so her trials only endeared her to her little mamma . Away she went , skipping and prancing like mad , -- a funny sight , for Poppy had taken off her clothes , and she had n't a hair on her head . Poppy went to another window of the room for this performance , because in the opposite house lived five or six children , and she thought they would enjoy the fun . So they did , and so did the other people ; for it was a boarding-house , and all the people were at home for dinner . They came to the windows , and looked and laughed at dolly 's capers , and Poppy was in high feather at the success of her entertainment . All of a sudden she saw grandpa coming down the street , hands behind his back , feet turned out , gold-headed cane under his arm , and the handsome legs in the black silk stockings marching along in the most stately manner . Poppy whisked dolly in before grandpa saw her , and dodged down as he went by . This made the people laugh again , and grandpa wondered what the joke was . The minute he went in out flew dolly , dancing more frantically than ever ; and the children shouted so loud that grandpa went to see what the matter was . The street was empty ; yet there stood the people , staring out and laughing . Yes ; they were actually looking and laughing at his house ; and he did n't see what there was to laugh at in that highly respectable mansion . He did n't like it ; and , clapping on his hat , he went out to learn what the matter was . He looked over at the house , up at the sky , down at the ground , and through the street ; but nothing funny appeared , for Poppy and dolly were hidden again , and the old gentleman was puzzled . He went in and sat down to watch , feeling rather disturbed . Presently the fun began again : the children clapped their hands , the people laughed , and every one looked over at the house , in what he thought a very impertinent way . This made him angry ; and out he rushed a second time , saying , as he marched across the street : `` If those saucy young fellows are making game of me , I 'll soon stop it . '' Up to the door he went , gave a great pull at the bell , and , when the servant came , he demanded why every one was laughing at his house . One of the young men came and told him , and asked him to come in and see the fun .
Poppy did n't see grandpa go in , for she hid , and when she looked out he was gone : so she boldly began the dancing ; but , in the midst of a lively caper , dolly went bounce into the garden below , for the string fell from Poppy 's hand when she suddenly saw XXXXX at the window opposite , laughing as heartily as any one at her prank .
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