Then the woman unfastened a wide strap from the box, and Mary clapped her hands as she removed the lid, for the box seemed to be full of the most beautiful dresses!
'They're not for me!' she exclaimed, looking up into Evangeline's face.
'You are to choose the three you like the best,' was the answer.
It took a very long time for Mary to choose. She had them all taken out of the box one after another, and the woman held them up so that Mary could see them better. At last she made her selection: a dark blue dress, a crimson dress, and one of a deep plum colour. Then, although Mary did not know there could be anything else in this wonderful box, a great many other things were taken out of it, such as stockings and shoes and a very nice outdoor jacket. Mary felt delighted with everything, but especially with the outdoor jacket, because it showed that she was to go out again some day.
'I shall go out again!' she cried, as the woman strapped up the box. 'But I shan't go to William Street!' she pleaded, looking up into Evangeline's face.
'William Street!' answered Sister Agatha, 'certainly not. Who wants to go to William Street, indeed. You will go to the loveliest place in the world. You are going to stay in the country.'
'What is the country?' asked Mary, for she had never been a mile away from William Street in her life.
'Now,' cried Evangeline, when the woman with the box had gone away, 'is there anything else you would like to have?'
'I—I don't think so,' answered Mary.
'How about toys?' suggested Sister Agatha.