The Friendship Doll Read Online Free PDF Page B

engagement at Lord & Taylor, Bunny was more like a snail than like her bouncy namesake. “I’ve never seen such a child!” exclaimed Nanny. “First you bustle me along the streets like there’s a fire, then you dawdle as if you’re headed for a spanking.” Nanny shook her head. “You are a puzzle.” She took off her gloves in the department store’s vestibule. “Shall I stand with you?”
    “No!” Bunny’s answer came out more sharply than she intended. “No, thank you, Nanny. I’ll meet you in the tearoom when I’m done.”
    Nanny glanced at her bodice watch. “Four o’clock?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Bunny nodded, then hurried off to the dolls’ display.
    This crowd was the smallest yet. Most of the city’s residents had already been to gawk at these wonders of Japanese artistry. Bunny was glad, really, that it was a quieter day. Fewer visitors meant she could get closer to the dolls. Well, closer to Miss Kanagawa. Still, she had to hug the edges of the room for a good long while, waiting for the right moment, until there was no one around.
    Bunny was good at speeches. But when it came to finding the words on this day, it was more difficult than sitting through one of Reverend Speers’ Sunday sermons. Silly, too, were the tears stinging the back of her eyes, threatening to pop out and roll down her cheeks in a childish display of emotion. She was much too old for this piffling business of dolls.
    And yet. Here she was, tearing up at the thought of this good-bye. Ridiculous.
    A newly installed placard explained that the dolls would be sent, in groups of six, to various parts of the country; the Friendship Doll Committee hadn’t yet decided where. Only Miss Japan’s traveling days were over. She was going to the National Museum in Washington, D.C., her new permanent home.
    When Bunny finished reading all these details, she found herself alone in the room. Now was her chance.
    She cleared her throat. “Do you remember when we first met?” She looked to see if Miss Kanagawa responded.Those dark eyes stared straight ahead. “You seemed so haughty and standoffish.” Bunny grinned a wobbly grin. “Well, I don’t think I was so charming myself. But you did something to me that day. I don’t know how. I truly don’t. And maybe I made it all up, because you haven’t spoken to me since.” Bunny put her hands in her pockets. “Father said his buttons popped right off his vest when I came to the rescue, he was so proud. Mother can’t stop telling all her friends about it. And Winnifred has written my name back on the coming-out tea guest list.” Bunny rolled her eyes. “Not that that’s any great prize.”
    Bunny thought that remark might get a tiny reaction from her quiet friend. But no.
    “I couldn’t have done it without you. So I wanted to give you this.” Bunny pulled something from her right pocket, and then set it inside the doll-sized steamer trunk that rested at Miss Kanagawa’s feet.
    “Good-bye.” Bunny bowed, three times, to the doll, as she had seen Mr. Sekiya do.
    “Bunny! Oh, there you are!” Nanny bustled over. “I nearly had apoplexy. You were to meet me at four! And now it’s nearly a quarter past the hour.” Nanny’s wrinkled cheeks flared pink with worry.
    “I’m so sorry, Nanny. I lost track of time.” Bunny hugged the old lady. “I’m ready now.” She twined her arm through Nanny’s and they made their way to the front of the store. Bunny didn’t glance back. She didn’t dare. It was the only way to keep from blubbering.
    Lord & Taylor’s front doors closed promptly at fivep.m. Shortly after, a specially hired crew appeared to pack up Miss Japan and her six companions. Each accessory—from black lacquer fan case to tea tin—was carefully wrapped in cotton batting. After each doll’s possessions were cared for, then began the process of placing doll and belongings in the trunk, like fitting together a jigsaw puzzle.
    “What’s this?” asked the