"And the doll they hung me on the Christmas tree was bigger than Cordelia Running Bird's, and its hairs and clothes were prettier, so I told Cordelia, 'I am your friend, and I shall give you my doll.' And she did not want to take it, but I made her. So she said, 'I am your friend, and I shall give you my doll, but it is not so nice as yours.'
"And Cordelia Running Bird and I now walk together
all the time, and again I shall never be mean to her. And
they did not choose Susie quite so much as Dolly in the
games, but Cordelia says that makes her glad. And it
was because she read the King's Daughters' verses.
"Now I shall put an end to this too long letter. Many
days have I been writing it, and the girls, said just like
I was writing a book. And Cordelia sends her love.
"From your unknown American Indian friend,
"HANNAH STRAIGHT THEE."
"P. S.—Cordelia Running Bird nearly drowned both kinds of Christmas clothes, and then she thought to give the best kind to Dolly. And Susie did not care because she had to wear the blue dress, and it smutted so her hands and face got dirty, and the black shoes and stockings. She was just as happier. And the teacher saved Cordelia's Indian doll and gave it back to her, because she knew she loved it very hard. And Cordelia was so glad she hugged it very tight.
"Again P. S.—Cordelia wrote, 'Peace on earth, good-will toward men. I do not wish the dormitory girls were cripples, and I will stop talking vain and will always wear the issue shoes every day. And will they please excuse me?' And they did. And now they walk heel or tiptoe on Cordelia's wet floor. Lucinda will now learn the neat way, and they will grow Dolly more white-minded, for she came to school so short. And again I say it was the King's Daughters' verses. And I do not like to think hard, but I shall try to learn them, too. And we did not shut our eyes at Susie when she motioned Jack Frost, as we meant to just for spite. And the girls all said Cordelia was so generous, she said she nearly got vain again. So I shall stop this time."
[Illustration: Helen read the letter to her King's Daughters circle.]
Helen read the letter to her King's Daughters Circle, and a young member, thinking of the little Sioux maiden at the far Northwestern Mission who had tried to overcome her faults and love her enemies, repeated softly:
"'For thou hast a little strength, and thou hast kept my word and hast not denied my name.'"
End of Project Gutenberg's Big and Little Sisters, by Theodora R. Jenness