"Thank you. Did you say you would have three yards, madam?" she asked, turning to the lady customer.
Molly's Purchases
"You dip first," said Julia.
Molly looked from the flat parcels to the three-cornered ones and could not decide which to choose.
"I think I will shut my eyes," she said, and she put in her hand at random and pulled out a small, flat parcel. She opened it eagerly, and took out a block of black paper, to be used as a slate, and a pencil with which to write on it. She was sadly disappointed, and felt very much like crying.
"It is a horrid thing," said Julia. "We don't want a paper slate when you have that nice blackboard. You were very silly to shut your eyes. I shall choose with my eyes open. I am going to take that package that looks as if it might be a doll."
She took out the enticing-looking package and began to untie the string, and presently drew forth a pink-and-white-and-green china vase of a hideous shape. It was too large for dolls, and too small for people, and too ugly to please either.
"That dip is perfectly horrid," said Julia.
Molly was sure that she had never been so unhappy. She knew, now that it was too late, that she wanted the paper doll furniture more than anything in the whole world. The little girls were very sober all the way home. When they reached Molly's gate, Julia handed over the vase.
"Take the old thing," she said. "You have got something to remember Priscilla by always now, and you can send the paper slate to her."