[Tibbie gives one bound, then stops short
quite overcome.
Sally [expectantly]. Well, ma'am? [Tibbie stands gazing, unable to speak.] Well, I never! Don't you like 'em? What on earth did you expect, child? Well, I never! Well, if it don't beat all! Why, when I was a young one—— Why, Tibbie, girl—don't you think they're lovely?
Tibbie [whispers]. Yes. [Nodding her head slowly, then letting it hang.]
Sally [understanding]. Aw, come out o' that! Come, let's look at 'em one by one, taking all our time. Come to Sally, darling, and don't feel bad. We'll have lots of fun. [Takes Tibbie's hand and draws her nearer the dolls, then sits on the floor and pulls Tibbie down into her lap.]
Tibbie. I had almost guessed it, you know, when you said like angels with hats on. But I couldn't think there would be a hundred unless it was a store. What has the lady so many for?
Sally. Bless your heart! They ain't for herself! They're for orphans in a school that a minister cousin of hers is superintendent of. She's been over a month making these clothes. Every Wednesday she would give a tea-party, and a lot of ladies come stitching and snipping and buzzing over the dolls' clothes the blessed afternoon. And I washed the tea things after them all!
Tibbie. They are for the orphans. Are there a hundred orphans?
Sally. Oh, I guess likely.
Tibbie. Suppose, Sally—suppose there were only ninety-nine, and some girl got two!
Sally. Well, we two have got a hundred for to-night, Tibbie, so let's play, and glad enough we've got our mothers. Look, this is the way you must hold them to be sure and not crumple anything. [Sally slips her hand under a doll's petticoats, and they peep at the dainty underclothes. Sally spurs on Tibbie's enthusiasm by the tones of her voice, making the wonder more, to fill the child's soul to intoxication. Tibbie easily responds, fairly rocking herself to and fro with delight.]