“Fairy stories were true in the once-upon-a-time days,” said Miss Ruth, to end the discussion; “that is, people believed in fairies,” she added.
“Are these the dresses for us to make, all pinned on to the dolls, Miss Ruth?” Elsa asked. “We’ve talked so much about other things that we haven’t said hardly anything about the dolls.”
“It’s nice to have their underclothes all made,” said Betty, “because it saves so much of our time.” Betty had finally taken one of the largest dolls to dress.
“Do you each want to dress first the one you have chosen?” asked Miss Ruth.
“Yes!” “Yes!” was the quick chorus.
“Then you may begin now, and I will sew, too,” said Miss Ruth, seating herself by the table. “Here is a thimble for each of you, and in this big work-basket you will find needles and sewing cotton and scissors. Help yourselves to the cookies: and you need not be extra careful about crumbs, because Sarah is going to sweep the library to-morrow morning.”
The three girls grouped themselves near the table and threaded their needles.
“Please begin,” Betty whispered, just as Miss Ruth was asking of Alice: “Is Ben coming to the Club?”
“He wanted to, he told me,” said Alice, “but the other boys teased him to go skating, ’cause Morse’s Pond is frozen over.”
Betty tossed her head: “I knew he didn’t want to belong.”