Afterward they went to the Eden Musee. You had to ride from place to place; why, it was full of strange people who never stirred. They could not be dead! What was the matter with them? The wonder in her eyes made Mrs. Warren smile. Some were funny, too; you wanted to laugh with them. Marilla sat down in perfect despair as if she had gone to some strange country.
“I don’t see how they can make them just like folks,” she said. “You feel almost sure they are going to speak to you.”
A very tired little girl it was who came home, but it was such a pleasant, happy tired she didn’t mind. It wasn’t like dragging the 277 heavy babies around. Aunt Grace made her lie down on the lounge and the girls gathered round her talking it over. They had been several times.
Then Dr. Richards came in and they had such a delightful time. Why the whole world of pleasure was fairy land when you come to think of it. “And there’s the Hippodrome,” said Edith. “Oh mother don’t you believe father could take us on Saturday?”
“And couldn’t I go, too?”
The doctor asked in such a whimsical tone that they all laughed. Jessie sidled up to him, she was well so she need not be afraid of a doctor. She was very sweet but she wasn’t quite Cinderella.
What a fine evening they had! It seemed as if they must have known each other for years. Bits of Marilla’s life came out unconsciously; the doing for others without thinking of herself that really did glorify it. Unwittingly she showed more of it to Dr. Richards than she had ever before in her gratitude. Under the children’s questions some of the trials came out.
Every morning she wrote to Miss Armitage 278 out of her full heart, and the lady understood how she would thrive in natural companionship. Almost she felt as if she ought to yield her to these relatives, but she wanted her. It was strange how she had left her impress everywhere yet she was a very modest little girl, demanding nothing, taking all favors with a gratitude that was fascinating. Jane rehearsed so many pretty sayings and missed her everywhere. Bridget came around to hear whether the story of the fortune was absolutely true. The Bordens could hardly believe it. Mr. John Borden wished they had not let her go quite so soon. “She certainly was a nice child,” he said.
They went to the great stores and to Central Park, and Marilla overflowed with happiness. Why it was like the fairy dream, and she wished the girls at the Home could have some of it, or could find a fairy godmother. There were so many things to interest the doctor. How the days did slip away and all the time Marilla grew sweeter, dearer; but at last he said they must go home.
“Oh, how can we let you go?” cried Edith. “Why I do believe you came from fairy land 279 yourself; but now you’ll come and visit us often.”