"Well, what did you buy, dear?" her mamma asked cheerfully, as Molly came into the parlour.
The little girl found it hard to keep back her tears. Her Aunt Mary and her brother Fred were sitting there, too. She felt it would have been easier to confess her folly to her mother alone.
She held up the vase and the paper block silently.
"The block was a sensible choice," said her mamma, "but I don't see why you chose the vase."
"I didn't choose either of them," Molly burst out. "We dipped and we got them."
"In short, they chose you," said Fred.
Then the little girl told the whole story. "I did want the paper doll furniture so much," she ended.
"Why didn't you buy it, then?" asked her aunt.
"Because we thought it would be more fun to dip."
"This will be a very good lesson for you, Molly," said her aunt. "It is never well to spend money unless you are sure what you are spending it for. I am sorry for you, but you will never be so foolish again."