`` Oh , how splendid ! '' `` Yes , is n't it ? '' said Maggie enviously . `` She picked out Lizzie because she was pretty and had curls . I do n't think it is fair . '' Charlotte sighed . `` Nobody will ever want to adopt me , because I 've mousy hair and freckles , '' she said . `` But somebody may want you some day , Maggie . You have such lovely black hair . '' `` But it is n't curly , '' said Maggie forlornly . `` And the matron wo n't let me put it up in curl papers at night . I just wish I was Lizzie . '' Charlotte shook her head . `` I do n't . I 'd love to be adopted , but I would n't really like to be anybody but myself , even if I am homely . It 's better to be yourself with mousy hair and freckles than somebody else who is ever so beautiful . But I do envy Lizzie , though the matron says it is wicked to envy anyone . '' Envy of the fortunate Lizzie did not long possess Charlotte 's mind , however , for that very day a wonderful thing happened at noon hour by the northwest gap . Charlotte had always been very careful not to let the Pretty Lady see her , but today , after the Pretty Lady had gone past , Charlotte leaned out of the gap to watch her as far as she could . And just at that very moment the Pretty Lady looked back ; and there , peering at her from the asylum fence , was a little scrap of a girl , with mouse-coloured hair and big freckles , and the sweetest , brightest , most winsome little face the Pretty Lady had ever seen .
The Pretty Lady smiled right down at Charlotte and XXXXX just a moment her eyes looked as Charlotte had always known they ought to look .
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