Page:Raggedy Ann Stories.pdf/87



RAGGEDY ANN AND THE MOUSE

Jeanette was a new wax doll, and like Henny, the Dutch doll, she could say “MAMMA” when anyone tipped her backward or forward. She had lovely golden brown curls of real hair. It could be combed and braided, or curled or fluffed without tangling, and Raggedy Ann was very proud when Jeanette came to live with the dolls.

But now Raggedy Ann was very angry—in fact, Raggedy Ann had just ripped two stitches out of the top of her head when she took her rag hands and pulled her rag face down into a frown (but when she let go of the frown her face stretched right back into her usual cheery smile).

And you would have been angry, too, for something had happened to Jeanette.

Something or someone had stolen into the nursery that night when the dolls were asleep and nibbled all the wax from Jeanette’s beautiful face—and now all her beauty was gone!

“It really is a shame!” said Raggedy Ann as she put her arms about Jeanette.

“Something must be done about it!” said the French doll as she stamped her little foot.

“If I catch the culprit, I will—well, I don’t know what I will do with him!” said the tin soldier, who could be very fierce at times, although he was seldom cross.