Dotty Dimple at Her Grandmother's

A bright May morning finds Dotty Dimple and her sisters visiting their grandmother and walking to church. Dotty, whose other name is Alice, notices sparkling dew and imagines fairy tablecloths, but her pleasure gives way to envy when Jennie Vance appears in fine new clothes. A Sunday school lesson about cheerful giving soon meets a practical test: a visitor asks for help, and Grandmamma Parlin weighs his doubtful story while asking Susy to bring him food.

Sophie May builds this children's novel from family conversations, small rivalries and the uncertain reasoning of a young child. Dotty eagerly applies moral lessons to Jennie, while Prudy brings patience and humor to their exchanges. In another scene, the sisters discuss imaginary future children and try making verses, turning misunderstandings about names and rhyme into playful dialogue. Readers interested in older family stories will find both clear lessons about conduct and close attention to children's talk.