“Oh, I wouldn’t want to lock Almira in there!” exclaimed the little girl. “She might smother, and how could she get out to play with her kittens?”
“Oh, I don’t mean that it can be locked,” explained the lawyer. “It is just called that on a boat. Cupboards on the wall and the window seats on the floor are generally called lockers on board a ship.”
“Is this a ship?” asked Dot.
“Well, enough like one to use some of the same words,” replied Mr. Howbridge. “Now let’s look through it.”
This they did, and each step brought forth new delights. They had gone down a flight of steps and first entered a small cabin which was evidently intended for a living room. Back of that was very plainly the dining room, for it contained a table and some chairs and on the wall were two cupboards, or “lockers” as the lawyer said they must be called.
“And they have real dishes in them!” cried Tess, flattening her nose against one of the glass doors.
“Don’t do that, dear,” said Ruth in a low voice.
“But I want to see,” insisted Tess.
“So do I!” chimed in Dot, and soon the two little sisters, side by side, with noses pressed flat against the doors, were taking in the sights of the dishes. Mr. Howbridge silently motioned to Ruth to let them do as they pleased.
“Oh, what a lovely dolls’ party we could have here!” sighed Dot, as she turned away from the dish locker.