“‘Poorer, they haven’t even any feathers,’ laughed the Fairy, as they gently floated down, down, till they could peer into a window of the little house.
“A mother sat by a table sewing. Anna Belle watched to see that she was making dolls from bottles.
“She fashioned heads by placing a wad of cotton in a piece of muslin. Giving the cloth a twist, she had a perfect round ball which she shaped and tied down over a cork. On this she skilfully painted a face, then tied a trim little bonnet about it, and behold, there was a smiling bit of a creature awaiting the next move.
“She then made petticoat, dress and coat, and stood it in a corner while she made another. As she worked she smiled so sweetly the whole room seemed aglow.
“‘Come and see who will have these gifts,’ whispered the Fairy.
“Anna Belle followed and peeped in another window. There she saw a number of little children all snuggled up fast asleep.
“‘Look!’ whispered the Fairy, and pointed to a stand where were a few gifts. A pin-cushion made of bits of ribbon from a scrap bag, and a workbox made from a cigar box. This was a work of art indeed. Pockets had been tacked inside, and on the bottom of the box lay a spool of thread.
“‘Looks lonesome, doesn’t it?’ whispered the Fairy.
“Anna Belle nodded as she thought of her own beautiful workbox of carved ivory with gold thimble and all sorts of beautiful fittings.