“Oh, no, my days are over,” was the Jack’s reply. “Nobody wants to play with a broken toy. I’ll stay here a long time, I suppose. But your adventures are just beginning.” And that is just what happened. The Sawdust Doll was lifted down off the shelf, and a beautiful dress was put on her. It was made of silk, and was the color of a rose. “You are as nice a doll as any little girl could wish,” said Martha, the maid, as she tied a blue sash on the Sawdust Doll. There was a looking-glass in the room where the maid was dressing the toy for the birthday party, and the Sawdust Doll had a look at herself in the mirror. “My, how nice I look,” thought the doll. “This is much nicer than wearing nothing but a bit of cheese cloth, as I did in the store. I won’t catch cold now.” The rose silk dress was fastened on the doll, and then Mother came to get the toy. “It is almost time for Dorothy’s party,” said Mother. “I hope she will like her doll. I’ll take it down.” Down the stairs the Sawdust Doll was carried, and a moment later, she found herself in a room that was filled with little girls and boys. The girls all wore pretty dresses and the boys had their hair combed, so the Sawdust Doll began to think it was a party. And when she heard the guests say to Dorothy that they wished her “many happy returns,” the Sawdust Doll knew it was a birthday party. “Here you are, little daughter!” said Mother to Dorothy. “Here is a present for you,” and the Sawdust Doll was handed to the little girl. Dorothy’s eyes shone in delight, and she danced up and down as she hugged the toy close in her arms. “Oh, she’s the very doll I wanted!” cried Dorothy. “It’s the same one I saw in the store! Look, Dick!” she called to her brother, showing him her new pet. “Don’t you remember? This doll was in the store where you rode the White Rocking Horse!” “Yes, and I wish I had the Rocking Horse now!” exclaimed Dick. “But dolls are all right for girls, and I’m glad you have a new one, Dorothy,” he added, feeling he had not been very polite. “She is pretty.” “Yes, my doll is lovely!” said Dorothy. “Indeed she is!” cried all the other girls. And though each one of them had a doll, none was any prettier or more beautifully dressed than the Sawdust Doll. [Illustration: Carlo Runs Away With the Sawdust Doll _Page 63_] Then the party fun began. The boys and girls played games and danced to music. Some of the girls even danced with the Sawdust Doll, and I think it was very good of Dorothy to let them play with her beautiful new doll. But they were very careful. “I like birthday parties,” thought the Sawdust Doll. “I wish the Bold Tin Soldier and the Calico Clown were here to enjoy this one.”