anda, and the two little
girls turned and watched the big ship under full sail moving off across
the harbor.

"Amanda," said Anne, "you know you gave me the nice white kitten?"

"Yes," replied Amanda; "has it run away?"

"Oh, no; it is just as contented as can be," said Anne; "only ever since
you gave it to me I have wished I could give you something."

Amanda's face flushed and she dug her bare toes into the sand. She was
remembering how unkind she and Amos had been to Anne, and was wishing that
Anne would not thank her for the kitten.

"And now I have a present for you," went on Anne, taking the wooden doll
from beneath the little plaid shawl.

"Your doll!" exclaimed Amanda in surprise.

Anne shook her head smilingly.

"No," she said, "your doll. See, it is new. And it is larger than mine.
Take it," for Amanda's hands were behind her, as if she did not mean to
take the gift.

"It's yours. Uncle Enos made it, and Aunt Martha made the dress," and Anne
held the doll toward her friend.

Then Amanda's hands unclasped and reached forward eagerly.

"It's a fine doll," she said. "I do think, Anne, it is full handsomer than
yours. Come, that I may show it to my mother. I shall name it for you,
Anne. I have already named it. I shall call it Lovely Anne Nelson. Indeed
I shall. I never had a gift before." And Amanda held the doll tight and
smiled happily at Anne, as she reached out to draw her into the house that
Mrs. Cary might see the doll.

When Anne started for home, Amanda walked along beside her for a little
way. When they neared the spring she put her arm about Anne's neck and
kissed her on the cheek.

"There!" she exclaimed; "now you know how dear you are. I was bad to you,
Anne Nelson, right here at this very spring; and I set Amos on to tease
you. And now you have given me a gift."

"But you gave me the kitten," answered Anne, "and I chased you away from
the spring with sand and water."

"But now we like each other well," said Amanda. "You like me now, Anne?"

"Yes," replied the little girl; "I would not give you a gift if I did not
like you well," and the two little girls smiled at each other happily and
parted, Amanda to run home to her doll, while Anne went more slowly up the
hill, thinking of the trip Uncle Enos was about to make and wishing that
she could go with him.

"I could wear my scarlet stockings and new shoes for my father to see,"
she thought, "and I would be no trouble to Uncle Enos.