“Halloa! Miss Moppet,” said her papa. “Are you off? What's the matter with that dolly? Do you have to walk her to sleep?”
“Oh, no. She's very good, but she's going to sleep with me, because it's the last night she'll be here.”
Marty tried to reply steadily, but her voice trembled.
“Ah!” said her papa sympathizingly. “Where is she going?”
“I'm going to give her to Jennie.”
Of course Mr. Ashford had heard all about Jennie. He approved of her being helped, but did not like to see Marty in distress, and he noticed her eyes were full of tears.
“It is a shame for the child to give away playthings she is fond of,” he said to his wife.
“I didn't tell her to give it,” replied Mrs. Ashford. “It was her own notion.”
“Here, Marty,” said her father, putting his hand in his pocket, “you keep that doll yourself and I'll give you some money to get Jennie another one.”
“Oh! no, papa,” said Marty earnestly. “Thank you ever so much, but I want to give Jennie a doll all myself, and I've quite made up my mind to give her this one. I thought it over a whole day—didn't I, mamma? You mustn't s'pose I don't want to give Laura Amelia to Jennie, because I do, but you know such things make one feel a little sad for a while.”