The Lonesomest Doll
anxious about the Father’s lost keys that she did not notice how fast the food disappeared. Nichette had a capital chance to hide the extra scones and the bread in her apron.
“I am going back to the garden to get my dolls, Mamma,” said Nichette after supper.
“Well, well, Nichette. But after that come straight home, child, for it is almost bedtime,” answered Mother Marie carelessly, for she was thinking of other things. “Oh, suppose Pierre never finds his keys! What shall we do, what shall we do?” she was saying to herself.
Now Nichette felt guilty about those same keys which at that minute were bulging out the pocket of her apron. When she found what a trouble it had made she almost wished she had not run away with them in the first place, and she longed to tell her mother all about it and ease her of her worry. But that would rob the poor little Queen of her promised kiss. Nichette could not do that. No, she could not tell just yet. She ran all the way back to the garden.
