"Oh, I thought I'd keep her in the dolls' house, but she looks bigger in my hand than she did in the frame. I don't believe she'd go into the doll's house, and I don't b'lieve I want her to, for really I don't care for her. Do either of you want her?"
She extended her arm, holding the picture at arm's length, while she looked from one to the other.
"We don't want her," said Polly, "and oh, this time, Gwen, your mamma will surely be angry!"
"Pooh! See 'f she is. I guess I'll run home and see what she says," chirped Gwen, and gaily humming, she ran down the walk, and hurried home.
* * * * * * * *
Mrs. Harcourt had been entertaining guests for a few days, and it happened that soon after Gwen had left the house, the mischief had been discovered.
"Oh, can it be possible that there have been thieves prowling about the house in the night?" cried Mrs. Harcourt. "It really makes me feel quite ill to think of it."
At that moment, Gwen came flying into the house, and up the stairway.
"Somebody take this old picture and stick it back in the hole it came from. I thought it would make a nice big doll, but I guess I don't want her!"
"Oh, what a naughty thing for a child to do!" cried one of the ladies.
"That fine picture is absolutely ruined."