And the Small Girl, in a whirlwind of happiness, said, “Is it really my doll?”
And the Boy-Next-Door felt very shy and happy, and he said, “Yes.”
And the Small Girl’s mother said, “It was a beautiful thing to do,” and she bent and kissed him.
Again that bursting feeling came into the boy’s heart and he lifted his face to hers and said, “May I come sometimes and be your boy?”
And she said, “Yes.”
And when at last he went away, she stood in the door and watched him, such a little lad, who knew so little of loving. And because she knew so much of love, her eyes filled to overflowing.
But presently she wiped the tears away and went back to the table. And she smiled at the Small Girl and at the Small Girl’s father.
“And the potatoes were ivory,” she said. “Oh, who would ask for turkey, when they can have a pie like this?”
FOOTNOTES:
[1] By permission of the author and “Good Housekeeping.”