Chapter I. The wish. "Oh, if I had but a live doll," cried little Ellen, "how happy I should be!"

"As soon as the child can run alone, she will live entirely with you, and then your important duties will commence, but then you will be a twelvemonth older, and you will always have the advantage of my assistance and advice, in the management of your doll's health and improvement."

"(W)hen Mrs. Smith came to see Fanny, she brought her some sweet things....I said to her: 'Do not bring Fanny those things again; mamma says they are unwholesome.' She answered, 'I will not bring them again, Miss, if you do not like her to eat them." Still, I thought she did not look pleased;....Mrs. Smith has been here this morning, you know, and just now, when I took hold of Fanny's hand, it felt quite sticky: I said, 'What have you been eating?' she answered, "Nothing, little mamma,' but she colored, and then said: 'mother told me not to tell.' Now, mamma, what is the use of all the pains I take to make my doll good and sincere, if her mother does these things?" Tears of vexation ran down Ellen's cheeks as she spoke.