And they couldn't get it away from him--he tore it to pieces,
worritin' it like 'twas a cat. He ought to be skinned alive, I say. It's
low-down to keep such a dog."
"If Peggy had obeyed--" began Miss Margery.
"Yessum," interrupted Mrs. Callahan. "And nobody's got any business to
keep such a dog! We wouldn't 'a' had it happen for the world, ma'am. I
sent you that word 'bout Lois," she went on, addressing Anne, "so's you
wouldn't come. We didn't want you to know 'bout it till Monday. Pa he
draws his pay to-night and John Edward, too. John Edward he's errant boy
for a grocer down on M Street. They're going to take all their money and
buy you the finest doll in Washington, rent or no rent, victuals or no
victuals."
"No, no, no," protested Anne.
"Don't you look so white and pitiful," sobbed Mrs. Callahan. "I wouldn't
'a' had it happen for the world. You shall have the finest doll--"
"I don't want a doll," Anne spoke with difficulty. "Tell them not to,
Miss Margery. It wouldn't be Honey-Sweet. Please, oh, please, let's go
home, Miss Margery."
Poor little Anne! Miss Margery had her downstairs to tea that evening,
and gave her milk toast and pink iced cakes and candy in a Santa Claus
box that was to have waited till Christmas.
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