The Doll Shop Downstairs Read Online Free Page A

Thirty-first Street. Inside, there are whole counters that contain nothing but dolls: big dolls and small dolls, baby dolls and grown-up lady dolls, dolls that come with a steamer trunk full of clothes or their very own doll-sized furniture.
    â€œThat doll has a canopy bed!” says Sophie. “Look at the ruffles on the bedspread.”
    â€œI’ve never seen so many dolls,” says Trudie.
    â€œThey do have a huge selection,” says Papa. And it’s true.
    Even sophisticated Sophie is impressed. She touches a tall, auburn-haired doll with a crimson gown and pearl tiara. “Maybe this one is a countess,” she says. But Mama gently reminds us that there is probably nothing we can afford here, so we keep on looking. I am awed by the racks of doll dresses and all the accessories that go with them.
    â€œWhat about this?” asks Trudie, holding up a doll-sized version of a lady’s hand fan. “I think Angelica Grace would love it.”
    â€œHmmm,” says Sophie in a way that indicates this would not be her first choice.
    As we wander, we stop often to touch what we see. Mama and Papa do the same; dolls are their business after all, and it’s good for them to see what F.A.O. Schwartz is selling.
    We spend nearly an hour in the store, but no one can decide on anything. Trudie still likes the fan, though she is not sure—she would also like to get a hat for Angelica Grace. I am thinking about doll furniture, but I can’t find anything we can afford. Sophie says she just has not found the right thing yet. Papa, who seems to have seen enough dolls for the moment, pulls out his newspaper and begins to read. Mama tells us we need to make a decision soon. Sophie is about to say something, but then she stops in front of a display we have somehow not seen before.
    â€œDoll dishes,” she says. I can hear the certainty in her voice.
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” says Mama. “You girls do love tea parties.” So we gather around Sophie, inspecting first some plain white dishes and then a set of pots and pans.
    â€œHere’s a dolly rolling pin!” calls out Trudie. “Maybe they can bake.”
    Mama walks over to Sophie and hands her the box containing the white dishes. “This is not too expensive.”
    â€œI know, Mama. It’s just kind of plain, that’s all,” says Sophie. I can tell she doesn’t like it. Mama is about to speak again when Sophie’s attention is caught by something else. “Look at this.” She points to a different tea set—creamer, teapot, sugar bowl, four dainty cups, four saucers, and four dessert plates, all in the same deep yellow. Their color reminds me of Goldie, only darker. They come packed in a woven straw case with a bamboo handle. Inside there is a green and white checked lining and four green and white checked napkins. There are even four silver-plated spoons, knives, and forks, just the right size for doll hands.
    â€œCan I get it, Mama?” Sophie asks shyly. Mama glances at the price tag and looks at Sophie. Papa rolls up his paper and comes over to see as well.
    â€œI can understand why you want this set,” Mama says slowly. “It’s very, very lovely. But I think it’s more than we can afford—”
    â€œI have an idea,” Sophie interrupts. “Mama, Papa, can we buy the tea set and have it be a present for all of us? Something we can share?”
    They look at each other, thinking it over. “Well, we have to ask your sisters,” Papa points out. I touch the wicker case.
    â€œIt’s a little picnic hamper,” I say. “We could pretend the dolls are having a picnic.”
    â€œThen you say yes?” Sophie asks. She looks so hopeful. I nod. Then we both look at Trudie.
    â€œI’m not sure,” Trudie says. “I wanted to get the fan. Or a hat.”
    â€œThis would be something we could all use together,” I say.