And there is another
little girl who would like to have that part,--and I do not want to give
it to her."
Juanita sat silent, looking grave and anxious. Her lips moved, but she
said nothing that could be heard.
"And Juanita," the child went on--"I think, somehow, I like to look
better than other people,--and to have handsomer dresses than other
people,--in the pictures, you know."
Still Juanita was silent.
"Is it right, Juanita?"
"Miss Daisy pardon me. Who Miss Daisy think be so pleased to see her in
the beautiful dress in the picture?"
"Juanita--it was not that I meant. I was not thinking so much of _that_.
Mamma would like it, I suppose, and papa;--but I like it myself."
Juanita was silent again.
"Is it right, Juanita?"
"Why do Miss Daisy think it not right?"
Daisy looked undecided and perplexed.
"Juanita--I wasn't quite sure."
"Miss Daisy like to play in these pictures?"
"Yes, Juanita--and I like--Juanita, I like it!"
"And another little girl, Miss Daisy say, like it too?"
"Yes, I think they all do. But there is a little girl that wants to take
my part."
"And who Miss Daisy want to please?"
Daisy hesitated, and her eyes reddened; she sat a minute still; then
looked up very wistfully.
"Juanita, I think I want to please myself."
"Jesus please not himself"--said the black woman.
Daisy made no answer to that. She bent over and hid her little head in
Mrs. Benoit's lap. And tears undoubtedly came, though they were quiet
tears.
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