“Maybe it’s for you,� the Doll answered.
“Oh, no, my days are over,� was the Jack’s reply. “Nobody wants to play with a broken toy. I’ll stay here a long time, I suppose. But your adventures are just beginning.�
And that is just what happened. The Sawdust Doll was lifted down off the shelf, and a beautiful dress was put on her. It was made of silk, and was the color of a rose.
“You are as nice a doll as any little girl could wish,� said Martha, the maid, as she tied a blue sash on the Sawdust Doll.
There was a looking-glass in the room where the maid was dressing the toy for the birthday party, and the Sawdust Doll had a look at herself in the mirror.
“My, how nice I look,� thought the doll. “This is much nicer than wearing nothing but a bit of cheese cloth, as I did in the store. I won’t catch cold now.�
The rose silk dress was fastened on the doll, and then Mother came to get the toy.
“It is almost time for Dorothy’s party,� said Mother. “I hope she will like her doll. I’ll take it down.�
Down the stairs the Sawdust Doll was carried, and a moment later, she found herself in a room that was filled with little girls and boys. The girls all wore pretty dresses and the boys had their hair combed, so the Sawdust Doll began to think it was a party. And when she heard the guests say to Dorothy that they wished her “many happy returns,� the Sawdust Doll knew it was a birthday party.
“Here you are, little daughter!� said Mother to Dorothy. “Here is a present for you,� and the Sawdust Doll was handed to the little girl.