"I can't play with all three," said Dorothy generously, "so I can lend one to you and one to Jennie."
This was a fine plan, and the three little girls crowded into one seat on the train that they might have the satisfaction of playing with the little dolls which they dressed up in handkerchiefs. Such a [135]good time they had over them that Mrs. Ramsey had to call them twice when they reached their station. Then they hurried out, nearly tumbling over one another lest they be left in the train.
Mrs. Ramsey had telephoned Mack to meet them, so the three little dolls had their first ride in a motor-car and were the first of their company to arrive at the sea-shore. The children were so eager to get them dressed that they could scarcely wait for Mrs. Ramsey to get out her pieces. "Do, Mother, let us have them right away," begged Jennie.
"Don't you think you'd better wait till to-morrow when the other dolls will have come?"
"Oh, no, there is lots of daylight left, and we can help Dorothy dress these and then she can help us dress ours; it will be ever so much nicer that way. We are going to take them out on the porch and sew there."
"But, dearie, I think I ought to be with you, because these dolls for the bazar should be dressed very neatly, and not botchily as they might be if you were doing them merely for yourselves."
"Indeed, indeed we will try to be very neat."
"Can you cut out the things yourselves? To-morrow I thought I would let Emma help. She could do some of the work on the machine."
"But these littlest dolls don't need a machine. It will be lovely to have Emma help with the bigger [136]ones. Edna can cut out real nicely. Her Aunt Elizabeth taught her how to sew, and she is as neat, oh, just as neat as can be. I wish you could see."
"Very well, go along, then. I don't suppose it will do any harm since you are so very eager, and if I find they don't look well enough I can see to it afterward."