Fido picked himself up from where he had been rolled by the large dogs
and helped Raggedy Ann to her feet. He, Peterkins, and all the dolls ran
after the pack of dogs, turning the corner just as the dog catcher came
running out of the house in his nightgown to see what was causing the
trouble.

He stopped in astonishment when he saw the string of dolls in white
nighties pattering down the alley, for he could not imagine what they
were.

Well, you may be sure the dolls thanked Peterkins for his kind
assistance and they and Fido ran on home, for a faint light was
beginning to show in the east where the sun was getting ready to come
up.

When they got to their own home they found an old chair out in the yard
and after a great deal of work they finally dragged it to the window and
thus managed to get into the nursery again.

Fido was very grateful to Raggedy Ann and the other dolls and before he
went to his basket he gave them each a lick on the cheek.

[Illustration]

The dolls lost no time in scrambling into bed and pulling up the covers,
for they were very sleepy, but just as they were dozing off, Raggedy Ann
raised herself and said, "If my legs and arms were not stuffed with nice
clean cotton I feel sure they would ache, but being stuffed with nice
clean white cotton, they do not ache and I could not feel happier if my
body were stuffed with sunshine, for I know how pleased and happy
Mistress will be in the morning when she discovers Fido asleep in his
own little basket, safe and sound at home."

And as the dollies by this time were all asleep, Raggedy Ann pulled the
sheet up to her chin and smiled so hard she ripped two stitches out of
the back of her rag head.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

RAGGEDY ANN AND THE PAINTER

When housecleaning time came around, Mistress' mamma decided that she
would have the nursery repainted and new paper put upon the walls. That
was why all the dolls happened to be laid helter-skelter upon one of the
high shelves.

Mistress had been in to look at them and wished to put them to bed, but
as the painters were coming again in the early morning, Mamma thought it
best that their beds be piled in the closet.

So the dolls' beds were piled into the closet, one on top of another and
the dolls were placed upon the high shelf.

When all was quiet that night, Raggedy Ann who was on the bottom of the
pile of dolls spoke softly and asked the others if they would mind
mov