The child seemed bashful and afraid to speak; no wonder!
Tom's kind heart yearned to her. "Good morning! Wish you a merry Christmas, Mary!" he said smiling.
The child gave a start. "Why, how did you know my name?" she cried.
Tom looked confused. How indeed did he know? But Miss Angelina, with a readiness that surprised herself, came to his rescue.
"We were talking of a little girl named Mary," she said. "And you look just like her. What did you come for, dear?"
The little girl hung her head and turned crimson.
"I—I came to see Angelina Terry," she whispered. "I—I've got a doll that belongs to her."
There was a pause, then Miss Terry said, "Well, go on."
"I—I found her on the steps of this house last night, and I ought to have brought her right here then. But I didn't. I took her home. I hope Angelina was not very unhappy last night."
Miss Terry smiled upon Tom, who gave a kind, low laugh.