So, dropping the rake with which he had been cleaning out Carlo’s kennel, the gardener walked up to the house, and, wiping his feet at the back kitchen door, as he knew the cook did not want her floor made dirty, in the gardener went.
The cook was beginning to wash the cake and ice-cream dishes, for the eating part of the party was over.
“Look here, Mary,� said the gardener to the cook, holding out the Sawdust Doll. “See what I found in Carlo’s kennel.�
“Oh, for the love of peach pie!� cried the jolly cook. “That’s Dorothy’s doll! Where ever did you find her? The whole house has been upset looking for her. Where was she?�
“Out in the dog’s kennel. Some of the boys must have carried her there for a joke.�
“Ho! Ho! It wasn’t any of the boys!� laughed the cook. “It must have been Carlo himself. That dog is up to so many tricks. He carried off Dorothy’s doll!�
“Well, the doll isn’t harmed any,� said the gardener. “She was in the clean straw. Will you take her to Dorothy?�
“Indeed I will, the poor little dear! She’s been crying for fear her new doll was lost. Thank you, Patrick! I’ll tell Dorothy you found her doll for her.�
And when the cook went into the room where Dorothy and her little guests were still hunting for the missing doll, you can easily guess what joyous shouts there were.
“Oh, there she is! There she is!� cried Dorothy, when she saw her new birthday toy. “Where did you find her, Mary?� she asked, taking the Sawdust Doll in her arms.