The Lonesomest Doll
“Do you know what these are?” she went on in a giant whisper. “They are the palace keys. See, here is the one that unlocks the little gate there in the wall behind you. Here is the key to the first turret door. This is the armory key, and this Oh, children, do you know what I am going to do?”
Nichette bent over and whispered to the dolls in a low voice, her eyes big with eagerness. “Do you see this little bit of a golden key? It is the key to the horrid chest where they have locked away the lonesomest doll. I am going to find Mignon and make her happy for once. Oh, children! Think how dreadful it must be to stay all the year shut up in a box, and never to see your mamma at all.” Nichette’s brown eyes filled with tears, and she gathered the four dolls in her arms and held them close.
“You are not going to be cross if I leave you here all alone for a little while?” she said coaxingly. “You will not be jealous if you know I am playing mother to that poor, lonely dollie whose own mamma does not love her as I love you, children? Oh, I am so glad I found those keys!