Very cunning was Annie 's outfit , and her little trunk was a pretty as well as a curious sight , for everything was so small and complete it looked as if a doll was setting off for Europe . Such a wee dressing-case , with bits of combs and brushes for the curly head ; such a cosey scarlet wrapper for the small woman to wear in her berth , with slippers to match when she trotted from state-room to state-room ; such piles of tiny garments laid nicely in , and the owner 's initials on the outside of the trunk ; not to mention the key on a ribbon in her pocket , as grown up as you please . I think the sight of that earnest , sunshiny face must have been very pleasant to all on board , no matter how seasick they might be , and the sound of the cheery little voice , as sweet as the chirp of a bird , especially when she sung the funny song about the `` Owl and the pussy-cat in the pea-green boat , '' for she had charming ways , and was always making quaint , wise , or loving remarks . Well , `` they sailed and they sailed , '' and came at last to Fayal , where everything was so new and strange that Annie 's big brown eyes could hardly spare time to sleep , so busy were they looking about . The donkeys amused her very much , so did the queer language and ways of the Portuguese people round her , especially the very droll names given to the hens of a young friend . The biddies seemed to speak the same dialect as at home , but evidently they understood Spanish also , and knew their own names , so it was fun to go and call Rio , Pico , Cappy , Clarissa , Whorfie , and poor Simonena , whose breast-bone grew out so that she could not eat and had to be killed . But the thing which made the deepest impression on Annie was a visit to a charity-school at the old convent of San Antonio . It was kept by some kind ladies , and twenty-five girls were taught and cared for in the big , bare place , that looked rather gloomy and forlorn to people from happy Boston , where charitable institutions are on a noble scale , as everybody knows . Annie watched all that went on with intelligent interest , and when they were shown into the play-room she was much amazed and afflicted to find that the children had nothing to play with but a heap of rags , out of which they made queer dolls , with ravelled twine for hair , faces rudely drawn on the cloth , and funny boots on the shapeless legs . No other toys appeared , but the girls sat on the floor of the great stone room , -- for there was no furniture , -- playing contentedly with their poor dolls , and smiling and nodding at `` the little Americana , '' who gravely regarded this sad spectacle , wondering how they could get on without china and waxen babies , tea-sets , and pretty chairs and tables to keep house with . The girls thought that she envied them their dolls , and presently one came shyly up to offer two of their best , leaving the teacher to explain in English their wish to be polite to their distinguished guest . Like the little gentlewoman she was , Annie graciously accepted the ugly bits of rag with answering nods and smiles , and carried them away with her as carefully as if they were of great beauty and value . But when she was at home she expressed much concern and distress at the destitute condition of the children . Nothing but rags to play with seemed a peculiarly touching state of poverty to her childish mind , and being a generous creature she yearned to give of her abundance to `` all the poor orphans who did n't have any nice dollies . '' She had several pets of her own , but not enough to go round even if she sacrificed them , so kind grandmamma , who had been doing things of this sort all her life , relieved the child 's perplexity by promising to send twenty-five fine dolls to Fayal as soon as the party returned to Boston , where these necessaries of child-life are cheap and plenty . Thus comforted , Annie felt that she could enjoy her dear Horta and Chica Pico Fatiera , particular darlings rechristened since her arrival . A bundle of gay bits of silk , cloth , and flannel , and a present of money for books , were sent out to the convent by the ladies . A treat of little cheeses for the girls to eat with their dry bread was added , much to Annie 's satisfaction , and helped to keep alive her interest in the school of San Antonio . After many pleasant adventures during the six months spent in the city , our party came sailing home again all the better for the trip , and Annie so full of tales to tell that it was a never-failing source of amusement to hear her hold forth to her younger brother in her pretty way , `` splaining and ` scribing all about it . '' Grandmamma 's promise was faithfully kept , and Annie brooded blissfully over the twenty-five dolls till they were dressed , packed , and sent away to Fayal .
A letter of thanks soon came back from the teacher , telling how surprised and delighted the girls were , and how they talked of XXXXX as if she were a sort of fairy princess who in return for two poor rag-babies sent a miraculous shower of splendid china ladies with gay gowns and smiling faces .
Annie Cappy English Fatiera Horta Whorfie charity-school cheeses darlings pussy-cat