Now, that night Marcella did not undress the two new dolls, for she had no nighties for them, so she let them sit up in the two little red doll chairs so they would not muss their clothes.  “I will make nighties for you tomorrow!” she said as she kissed them good night.  Then she went over and gave Raggedy Ann a good night hug.  “Take good care of all my children, Raggedy!” she said as she went out.

Annabel and Thomas whispered together, “Perhaps we have been too hasty in our judgment!” said Annabel-Lee.  “This Raggedy Ann seems to be a favorite with the mistress and with all the dolls!”

“There must be a reason!” replied Thomas, “I am beginning to feel sorry that we spoke of her looks.  One really cannot help one’s looks after all.”

Now, Annabel-Lee and Thomas were very tired after their long journey and soon they fell asleep and forgot all about the other dolls.

When they were sound asleep, Raggedy Ann slipped quietly from her bed and awakened the tin soldier and Uncle Clem and the three tiptoed to the two beautiful new dolls.

They lifted them gently so as not to awaken them and carried them to Raggedy Ann’s bed.

Raggedy Ann tucked them in snugly and lay down upon the hard floor.

The tin soldier and Uncle Clem both tried to coax Raggedy Ann into accepting their bed (they slept together), but Raggedy Ann would not hear of it.

“I am stuffed with nice soft cotton and the hard floor does not bother me at all!” said Raggedy.

[Illustration]

At daybreak the next morning Annabel and Thomas awakened to find themselves in Raggedy Ann’s bed and as they raised up and looked at each other each knew how ashamed the other felt, for they knew Raggedy Ann had generously given them her bed.

There Raggedy Ann lay; all sprawled out upon the hard floor, her rag arms and legs twisted in ungraceful attitudes.

“How good and honest she looks!” said Annabel.  “It must be her shoe-button eyes!”

“How nicely her yarn hair falls in loops over her face!” exclaimed Thomas, “I did not notice how pleasant her face looked last night!”

“The others seem to love her ever and ever so much!” mused Annabel.  “It must be because she is so kind.”

Both new dolls were silent for a while, thinking deeply.

“How do you feel?” Thomas finally asked.

“Very much ashamed of myself!” answered Annabel, “And you, Thomas?”

“As soon as Raggedy Ann awakens, I shall tell her just how much ashamed I am of myself and if she can, I want her to forgive me!” Thomas said.

“The more I look at her, the better I like her!” said Annabel.

“I am going to kiss her!” said Thomas.

“You’ll awaken her if you do!” said Annabel.

But Thomas climbed out of bed and kissed Raggedy Ann on her painted cheek and smoothed her yarn hair from her rag forehead.

And Annabel-Lee climbed out of bed, too, and kissed Raggedy Ann.