RHODA. 17

Rhoda Jooked down rather shamefacedly; but, catching
the lady’s eye, she laughed, and so did her new friend, who
said,— ,

“T think she is a very nice doll, anyhow; I never saw one
like her before. Do you like her better than the ones you
buy in the shops ?” .

“Yes, I believe I do,” replied Rhoda, “for all I have to
do is to go out to the cornfield and get her, and she never
breaks. I had a lovely doll, but some one broke it.”

“That was too bad,” responded her friend. ‘“ What is
your doll’s name?”

“Corn Silk,” answered Rhoda.

“ But. what will you do when it gets cold, and there are no:
more dolls growing in the field ?”

Rhoda looked distressed. ‘I don’t know,” said she. Then
she looked up brightly. “ Perhaps Santa Claus will bring me
a new one,” she added.

“T have no doubt of it,” said the lady, nodding. “And
now I must goon. Good-by, Rhoda. You have been quite

a help to me.”
| Rhoda picked up Corn Silk and turned toward home, for
it was near dinner-time.

For a long time Corn Silk and Rhoda had good times.
together: they had parties down by the spring, and they went
fishing in the creek; they swung in the old apple-tree in the
orchard, and they went to sleep together in Rhoda’s little bed.

B