"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00.
If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for
you and in! no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.
Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another
crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and
counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores
and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick
dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give
her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up.
She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.
The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.
Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was
ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come! upstairs to
read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny,
"Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the
white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember,
daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."
"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he
brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked
again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The
brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have
the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy! loves you