“I’m afraid that I shall be chosen for some queer little person. You see my style is quite different from that of other dolls. I hope I shall be allowed to wear kimonos. They are very comfortable.”
“Perhaps you will be added to some one’s collection of dolls from all nations,” said the soldier boy.
“Oh, I hope not,” spoke up the most beautiful doll of all. “If you were one of a large collection I’m sure you wouldn’t be loved very much, because collections are kept chiefly for show.”
“You haven’t told us yet where you would like to go,” said the doll in white lace. “No doubt some very rich person will buy you. I heard the shopkeeper say that you are the costliest doll of all. We are all wondering where you would like to go.”
“I am longing to go to some little girl who will love me with all her heart,” said the most beautiful doll. “I don’t care how humble the home is where I live, but I want to be loved.”
“How strange!” was the answer.
“I hope we shall all be satisfied,” said Kewpie, yawning.
“We shall soon know,” sighed the soldier boy. “Good night to all!”
“Good night! Good night!”
A hard snowstorm did not keep the people away from the doll shop the next morning.