The Doll’s House
Week of March 3, 2008

Chapter 15:

While the Plantaganets are checking out the new post office Tottie remembers the other parcel that was delivered to Charlotte and Emily and started wishing that Emily would put the Plantaganets back into the dolls’ house and shut the door. In tune with Tottie’s “wishing”, Emily says the Plantaganets need to go back to their house as it is Christmas Day and Mr. Plantaganet would not go to the office on Christmas. Tottie is worried and a little frightened and a little angry. She felt as if her wood had gone stiff.

Everyone was put back into the house but Charlotte did not close the front as wished for by Tottie. Tottie nervously watched as Emily carefully undid the paper of the second parcel. It was a small shoe-box. Tottie shivered all through her wood. “Shoe-boxes are unlucky for this family.” Suddenly Emily gave a cry of admiration and pleasure. It was the lovely doll from the Exhibition and she lifted Marchpane from the box. Emily said she goes with the dolls’ house but Charlotte was doubtful about that. Emily is so excited about Marchpane and that she will belong to them. She can’t understand why Charlotte has a funny feeling about Marchpane. Emily declares her very silly, that Marchpane is beautiful and must be their best doll. Charlotte asks her if that is fair to the others as the others were here first. Emily says they were not, as Marchpane was Great-Great-Aunt Laura’s doll. Tottie was Great-Grandmother’s doll. Charlotte gave a cry as she noticed Tottie has dropped the Christmas pudding bowl on the floor.

DISCUSSION:

Marchpane has arrived at the Dane residence. Poor Tottie! I have the feeling trouble is coming to the dolls’ house, all caused by the appearance of this one doll.
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Oh, weird feelings of dread spread through the nursery! Tottie is apprehensive about the shoe-box sized package. She is filled with foreboding and sends out such strong feelings of it that even Charlotte picks up on it. She Who Must Not Be Named has arrived! And Tottie is well aware that no good can come of it.

Mr. Plantaganet, on the other hand, is full of thoughts for his beloved post office. He only wants the others to go home so he can work contentedly at his job. Birdie, poor flighty Birdie, she is filled with thoughts of the tinkling bell. And little Apple thinks only of tumbling down the stairs. But Tottie knows something wicked is coming!

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