leaves away in little rustling dances—and lo! John the woodman caught sight of Dolly’s pink cheeks and blue eyes still staring up at the sky! “Why,” he exclaimed, “I do believe there’s little missie’s doll, as she fretted so at losing!” And he took Dolly home in his pocket! M. A. Hoyer. [24] [24] The Uninvited Guest. The Uninvited Guest. EFFIE was quite in distress about the spare room in her doll’s-house, because she had no “visitor doll.” All the other rooms were occupied, for there were two smart maids in the kitchen who were beginning to cook the dinner; then in the dining-room there was a “mamma” sitting on the blue sofa, gazing at the bowl of gold-fish. In the nursery, the three children were already put to bed, and the poor, tired nurse rested by the bright coal-scuttle on the floor. In the drawing-room, two gay dolls in ball-dresses sat by the piano; but there was no one for the spare room! “It seems a great pity,” said Mamma,[25] “because you put all the nicest things in this room, Effie—the wax candles, the pretty box of chocolates, the lace curtains to the bed, and the dumb-bells; we must try and think of someone to come and stay here.” [25] “Mamma, do you think Rosie would lend me one of her dolls?” suggested Effie. “Supposing you write and ask her,” said Mamma. Effie seemed to think this a good idea,[26] but then she would have to wait a few days, because her friend was away, staying at a farmhouse. [26] “Shall we put the china baby in,” said Mamma, “or is he quite one of the family?” “Oh, Mummy, he’s the youngest child of all!” replied Effie, shaking her head. “I am afraid he is too much of a baby,” said Mamma, looking into the spare room, “and he might get into the shower-bath or open the door of the bird-cage—perhaps it would be unsafe.”
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