Then when changing behind the screen in Auntie's tiny dressing room, she had to be careful with the clothes—very careful. If lace should tear or a frock become soiled, Auntie would not be able to sell it. It was a careful little girl who changed behind that screen.
But Jeanne would always answer Auntie as she smiled into her worried eyes, "No, no, dear Auntie Sue. Never am I sad. Never do I mind the work. It is play, you know. All the other little children envy me!"
This also was true. Many children did think what fun it would be to wear all those lovely clothes and step about that gay little shop.
Some even went home and tried to imitate Jeanne. They thought it was fun. They did not know it was hard, hard work.
Jeanne answered Auntie Sue this way and really meant what she said.
Still Jeanne often wished for the days to be much longer. Jeanne wanted to play.
It was all right for those other children to play at being Jeanne. But really to be Jeanne was not play!
When those other children wearied of their game of being Jeanne they stopped. Jeanne could never stop. And there was never any time left for her to play.
Auntie Sue often noticed that Jeanne's eyes held a wistful look. Auntie Sue mistook that wistfulness and thought Jeanne was longing to possess the beautiful clothes she showed.