“Let it be a desk then,” said Laura. “I would have a desk. Mary Jay writes a great deal, and I know that she would like a handsome portable desk. There is money enough for that; isn’t there, Miss Anne?”
“Yes,” said Miss Anne, “I think there is.”
“I know what I would give her,” said Royal.
“What?” asked several of the children.
“A crutch,” answered Royal.
“A crutch!” they exclaimed, in astonishment. “O Royal, a crutch isn’t a pretty thing at all. I would not give her a crutch.”
“Yes,” said Royal, “a good, handsome crutch; an elegant crutch. And then, when people see that she is lame, they won’t think she is poor.”
“O no, no,” said the children, “I wouldn’t have a crutch; would you, Miss Anne?”
“I don’t know,” replied Miss Anne. “I never should have thought of such a thing, myself; but since Royal has thought of it, it is worth considering. It would be a singular thing for a present, certainly.”
“We will have it made of rose-wood,” said Royal, “with a silver plate on it, and all our names.”