What do you think?
Your Uncle John is getting the doll habit! Since I visited you half
the things I see turn into dolls as I look at them, and I immediately
begin to make songs or jingles about them just as you do. As I sit at
the table the dishes even, take doll form in my mind. The plates seem
to have great moon faces, while the sugar bowl seems to stand with
shoulders thrown up and arms akimbo like an awkward china washerwoman.
The knives, forks and spoons are almost human with their shining faces.
This morning as I passed a bake-shop and glanced in at the window, the
cakes and buns seemed to laugh and wink at me with the fat faces of
their bakers.
The doll I send you today was made of kelp by a little California
girl. Kelp is a heavy leathery sort of sea-weed that washes ashore
about here. There are great beds of it off the coast of California.
It grows so thickly that it gives the water a brown appearance and
the long leathery leaves are strong enough to bear up pelicans and
other sea-birds that one often sees apparently standing on the water.
Visitors to California often take home beautiful baskets and other
things woven from strips of this strong leathery weed, which is brown
on the outside and creamy white inside.
This little kelp maiden I got for you several days ago and as I have
watched her standing on the mantel-piece with that dissatisfied look
on her face, she seemed to sing this song to me, and as I listened I
seemed to hear the plash and feel the rolling of the waves which used
to rock her to sleep out on the kelp beds at sea.
I wonder if it will seem the same to you? I know she will be a warning
to you against discontent which is sure to spoil the pleasure of anyone
if it is allowed to get into his life.
I am hoping that the little kelp maid may grow cheerful through
associating with Lady Hollyhock and her friends. They all have happy
faces as I remember them—as happy as those of three cheery little
nieces and a jolly little nephew of
Your affectionate,
UNCLE JOHN.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE KELP MAID]