  CHAPTER XXXI GOOD NEWS L “LISTEN!” she said, coming back after a few moments. “Listen while I read my letter: Aunt Maria. Dear Mary Frances: How glad you will all be to hear that father is so much better that Aunt Maria and I are planning to bring him home some day next week. What dear good children you and Billy have been, and how we have enjoyed your splendid cheerful letters. I am pleased that you have been practicing on your crocheting lesson. It pleases Aunt Maria, too. Every girl should be able to crochet and knit. I wish I had been taught when I was little—but I had no Aunt Maria. “Dear Mary Frances.” “Lovely letter!” Now, my dear, be brave a little while longer and not too lonely, for the sake of your loving Mother and Father. “Now, isn’t that a lovely letter!” said Mary Frances, as she finished reading. “Lovely letter!” said Crow Shay. “Lovely letter, but it means a hurry-hurry to get through our lessons!” Mary Frances looked at Fairly Flew. “Yes,” the fairy acknowledged, “the Queen of all Fairies told us that we must finish the lessons before your parents——” “And aunt,” interrupted Crow Shay. “Yes,” laughed Fairly Flew, “and aunt, come home.” “Oh, dear,” cried Mary Frances, “I love my lessons so much, and yet I do want my father and mother home.” “Never mind,” said the fairy, “never mind; let us finish the lessons as soon as we can; and afterward if you need me very much, and call me with the magic rhyme when no real people can overhear us, I will come sometimes to help you.” “Never mind.” “She will turn into a doll.” “Oh, will you?” exclaimed Mary Frances, drying her tears. “That is a real comfort to think of.” “Now, go take a walk,” continued Fairly Flew; “you have been indoors long enough for to-day.” “Take me walk, Mamma?” asked Mary Marie. Mary Frances looked at the fairy. “Shall I take her?” she asked; “and may I leave her sweater on?” “Take her, by all means,” answered the fairy; “and, if you wish, you may leave her sweater on.” “But suppose someone asks me who made it?” Mary Frances said. “Just say that some dear friends of yours helped make it,” the fairy told her. “Will Mary Marie stay alive?” Mary Frances asked. “The Queen of Fairies told me that she would be real while you are learning to crochet and knit, except when any other person than yourself looked at her. Then she will turn into a doll again.” “Take me walk, Mamma?” “Oh, isn’t this wonderful!” exclaimed the little girl, putting on Mary Marie’s cap. “I’ll try to take a walk where no one will notice us—and I’ll come early “All work and no play.” “All work, and no play Will make you dumb as me, Crow Shay,” sang Crow Shay as Mary Frances went out. Mary Frances went out. |
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