“And aren’t you glad she’s going to make one for you too?” she asked.
Sophia Jane had been unusually silent and thoughtful since they had started, and made absent replies to all Susan’s remarks. She seemed to be turning something over in her mind, and the question had to be repeated before she took any notice. Then she only answered calmly:
“Oh, yes, of course,” as if it were the very merest trifle, and she had presents every day, which was by no means the case. Susan looked curiously at her, there were often moments when she did not know what to make of Sophia Jane. Then she said:
“Shall I ask Aunt Hannah to let us stop and look up at Miss Powter’s window?”
Miss Powter kept a toy-shop in the High Street, and only a few days ago had shown in her window quite a collection of dolls’ heads, both china and wax.
“If you like,” said Sophia Jane indifferently.
Susan ran up to Aunt Hannah, who was walking a little way in front, and put her request, which being granted, the little girls were soon gazing in at Mrs Powter’s shop-front. The heads were still there, a long row of them, some fair, some dark, some with blue eyes, some with black.
“Now, which should you choose?” asked Susan with much interest; “a wax or a china one?”
“A wax one,” said Sophia Jane; “because I could brush her hair.”
“But you couldn’t wash her,” objected Susan; “and china wears best.”