Dolly turned and went back to school, the tears freezing on her cheek as she went. As for not thinking any more about it--that was impossible. When three o'clock came, scholar after scholar rose and departed, until at last Dolly was the only one remaining in the school-room. When Dolly came home that night the coast was clear, and the candles were finished and put away to harden in a freezing cold room; the kitchen was once more restored, and Nabby bustled about getting supper as if nothing had happened. "I really feel sorry about poor little Dolly," said Mrs. Cushing to her husband. "Do you think she cared much?" asked the Doctor, looking as if a new possibility had struck his mind. "Yes, indeed, poor child, she went away crying; but what could I do about it? I couldn't stop to dress her." "Wife, we must take her somewhere to make up for it," said the Doctor. Just then the stage stopped at the door and a bundle from Boston was handed in. Dolly's tears were soon wiped and dried, and her mourning was turned into joy when a large jointed London doll emerged from the bundle, the Christmas gift of her grandmother in Boston. Dolly's former darling was old and shabby, but this was of twice the size, and with cheeks exhibiting a state of the most florid health. Besides this there was, as usual in grandmamma's Christmas bundle, something for every member of the family; and so the evening went on festive wings. Poor little Dolly! only that afternoon she had watered with her tears, at school, the dismal long straight seam, which stretched on before her as life sometimes does to us, bare, disagreeable and cheerless. She had come home crying, little dreaming of the joy just approaching; but before bed-time no cricket in the hearth was cheerier or more noisy. She took the new dolly to bed with her, and could hardly sleep, for the excitement of her company. Meanwhile, Hiel had brought the Doctor a message to the following effect: "I was drivin' by Tim Hawkins', and Mis' Hawkins she comes out and says they're goin' to hev an apple-cuttin' there to-morrow night, and she would like to hev you and Mis' Cushin' and all your folks come--Nabby and all." The Doctor and his lady of course assented. "Wal, then, Doctor--ef it's all one to you," continued Hiel, "I'd like to take ye over in my new double sleigh. I've jest got two new strings o' bells up from Boston, and I think we'll sort o' make the snow fly. S'pose there'd be no objections to takin' my mother 'long with ye?" "Oh, Hiel, we shall be delighted to go in company with your mother, and we're ever so much obliged to you," said Mrs. Cushing. "Wal, I'll be round by six o'clock," said Hiel. "Then, wife," said the Doctor, "we'll take Dolly, and make up for the loss of her party."