The Friendship Doll Read Online Free PDF

speak.
    Bunny’s hand slipped into her pocket, reaching for the smooth, cool marble. She glanced right. Belle was as pale as Mother’s best Irish linen. She looked as stricken as she had that day in the cloakroom.
    As if she hadn’t a friend on this earth.
    Bunny did want to be noticed. But not for smelling like vinegar. She unpocketed her hand and put it on Belle’s arm. This time, Belle did not shake it off.
    “You’re going to be wonderful,” Bunny whispered.
    Belle looked at her in surprise.
    Bunny nodded so hard all eight ringlets bounced around her head. She heard Belle take a deep breath as Mr. Reyburn waved her forward. “And here to accept Miss Japan on behalf of the children of New York City is Miss Belle Wyatt Roosevelt.”
    Belle hesitated for an instant.
    “You’re a Roosevelt,” Bunny whispered again. “Charge!”
    Belle stepped forward and gave her little speech. It wasn’t as clever as Bunny’s, but she said it nicely and only stumbled once. When she finished, she glanced Bunny’s way with a shy smile that softened her sharp face. She looked almost friendly. Bunny smiled back.
    Then a trumpet sounded and the musicians launched into the Japanese national anthem. During the majestic march, Mr. Sekiya moved solemnly over to the tables where the Ambassadors of Friendship were on display. He bowed three times to the dolls and said something in Japanese. Then he gently and carefully lifted Miss Japan off the table. He turned and slowly made his way across the shiny marble floor to Belle. When he was in front of her, he bowed to her as well. She curtsied and reached out her arms for Miss Japan. He handed her the doll.
    It must’ve been heavier than Belle expected, becauseit wobbled in her arms. Then she wobbled. A sharp gasp came from the row of dignitaries. The mayor rose halfway to his feet.
    In an instant, Bunny whisked to Belle’s side, helping to hold the doll until Belle could get a firm grasp. The room burst into applause as Bunny stepped back in line, ducking her head shyly. Bunny caught sight of Father, who gave her a little salute. She realized that the unpleasant poking sensation had disappeared. She felt light. Happy. And proud. As proud as if she’d given a speech herself.
    After the ceremony, after all the compliments from the adults and the other Welcome Committee girls, Bunny made her way to the table where the remaining dolls stood. She stopped in front of Miss Kanagawa, staring into her eyes. This time, she heard nothing. Saw nothing.
    How silly to expect anything different! She was only a doll, after all.
    But still …
    For ten days, all five dolls were on display at Lord & Taylor. They attracted crowds of admirers, of all ages, which pleased Mr. Reyburn no end because most of the visitors also purchased something from his store. Many came to call more than once. A ladies’ lunch group so enjoyed the dolls that they returned on the weekend with their families in tow. A local doll collectors’ association paid their respects no fewer than three times in order to fully appreciate not only the dolls but also the
accoutrement
that accompanied them. The association membersdisagreed amiably among themselves about which were more charming—the painted silk parasols, the diminutive tea sets, or the lacquered kimono boxes.
    None of the visitors, however, signed the guest book more often than one eleven-year-old girl who cajoled her nanny into taking her to call each day of the dolls’ short stay in the city. Once, Bunny bumped into Belle Roosevelt, also visiting the dolls. Bunny had heard from Mary Louise that her name had been removed from Belle’s spite book. But at the store, Belle only nodded at Bunny and went on her way.
    Every afternoon, Bunny paid her respects to Miss Kanagawa while Nanny eased her bunions in the tearoom. And every afternoon, Bunny waited for another message from the doll. But nothing came, not even one whispered word.
    On the last day of the dolls’