All these evidences of interest were very flattering to Dotty. Sometimes
she took Prudy one side, and told her the same story twice over, to which
Prudy always listened with unfailing politeness. As I said before, while
this excitement lasted Miss Dimple was in a state of jubilee. But by and
by the novelty wore off; she had told the family everything she could
possibly think of, and now longed for a few pairs of fresh ears into
which to pour her stories. Everybody else was working for Christmas;
Dotty alone was idle; for no one had time to give her a daily stint, and
see that she accomplished it.

"After the holidays I shall have to go to school; so now is my time to
play," said she to herself, "and I ought to play every minute, as tight
as I can spring."

But she tried so hard to be happy that the effort was really very
tiresome. If she had only had something to do, I am almost sure she would
not have fallen into the misfortune which I am about to record.

One day her mother sent her to a worsted store to pattern some worsteds.
A girl behind the counter gave her the right shades, and she slowly
started for home. It was about four o'clock of a November day. Dotty,
glancing idly at the sky, saw that the sun was already getting low.

"How queer it is!" thought she; "it seems as if the sun grows sleepy very
early nowadays, and goes to bed right in the middle of the afternoon.
Well, I declare, if there isn't Lina Rosenberg!"

The beautiful little Jewess was just turning an opposite corner, and, as
usual, the sight of her face bewitched Dotty in a minute.