"It is meant for you, Lena dear, so don't be afraid to open it."
"I heard from Mrs. Clifford this morning that the box was sent," said her mother, coming in.
Thus bidden, Lena, with her sister's help, undid the string and took off the paper. Opening the box, Lena took out and laid on the floor two parcels directed to Milly and herself. Then she drew out one with Lucy's name on it. There was no mistaking what Lucy's was.
"A doll for me! Oh, how lovely! My first Christmas present!" she exclaimed in delight.
Lena looked at hers. On the paper was written, "For dear Lena, from Milly's godmama." Opening it, she saw a pretty soft brown hat, with a long curling ostrich feather of the same colour, and looking up she saw Milly holding one exactly the same in her hand.
"O Lena, how nice! We shall be exactly like, I am so glad. Aren't they lovely?"
"Mama," said Lena, after a pause, "may I give Lucy the feather? she deserves it, I don't;" and she tried to unfasten it as she spoke.
"Wait a moment, my child. Ask Lucy first if she would like it."
It was difficult to get Lucy to attend to anything they said, so absorbed was she in the delights of her new doll; when she did hear, she asked in surprise, "Give it me! what for? It's your present, Lena; you should not give away presents—it is wrong."
"But, Lucy, you forget what I did to Milly's white one, and let you bear the blame."