Marty was so overcome that she could do nothing but stand and gaze at the little girl who never had a doll, and nothing more was said until her mother was ready to go home. CHAPTER X. LAURA AMELIA. On their way home Mrs. Ashford stopped at Dr. Fisher's, and finding him in his office, made her plea, and readily obtained his promise to see Jennie. All the way Marty was unusually silent and appeared to be thinking intently. When they were nearly home she said impressively, "Mamma, do you know, Jennie never had a doll--never in her whole life!" "Indeed!" "No, ma'am; and I've been thinking I'd like to give her one of mine." "Do you think you could part with any of yours?" "I love them all dearly, but I think I _could_ do it to make Jennie happy. I know she'd like to have a doll, and it would be a long time before I could save money enough to buy her one." "Well," said Mrs. Ashford, "I'm sure she would be very happy with one of yours, but you had better take time to think it over well, and not do anything you would afterward regret." Marty thought it over until the next evening, and then said she still wished to give Jennie the doll. "Very well, then," said her mother, "I am willing you should do it. Which doll do you think of giving her?" "Laura Amelia." "Why, she is your third largest and one of your prettiest! Why do you choose her?" "Because Jennie would like a fair doll, and she's the only fair one I have except the one Grandma Brewster gave me, and I shouldn't like to give that away." And then she repeated what Jennie had said about the next-door girl's doll. So it was settled that Laura Amelia was to leave home the next Saturday. Her clothes were put in good order, and Mrs. Ashford made her a travelling dress. On Friday night when Marty, in her little wrapper and worsted slippers, made her appearance at the sitting-room door to say "Good-night," she had Laura Amelia clasped in her arms. "Halloa! Miss Moppet," said her papa. "Are you off? What's the matter with that dolly? Do you have to walk her to sleep?" "Oh, no. She's very good, but she's going to sleep with me, because it's the last night she'll be here." Marty tried to reply steadily, but her voice trembled. "Ah!" said her papa sympathizingly. "Where is she going?" "I'm going to give her to Jennie." Of course Mr. Ashford had heard all about Jennie. He approved of her being helped, but did not like to see Marty in distress, and he noticed her eyes were full of tears. "It is a shame for the child to give away playthings she is fond of," he said to his wife. "I didn't tell her to give it," replied Mrs. Ashford. "It was her own notion." "Here, Marty," said her father, putting his hand in his pocket, "you keep that doll yourself and I'll give you some money to get Jennie another one."