3 Dolls from Hungary

  These dolls from Hungary are colorful as peacocks. The boys, Istvan and Feri, wear red boots. Their aprons are trimmed with lace and embroidered in brilliant colors. Each boy's jacket glitters with gold braid and bright buttons. Both wear plumes and red roses in their hats. Truly, there is enough cloth in their big sleeves to make dresses for small dolls. Their accordion-pleated trousers are as wide as skirts.

       Maria Theresa was named after a famous Hungarian queen. The remarkable thing about her way of

dressing is that she wears eight petticoats. Little girls often used to wear an even greater number.

       In Hungary these dolls belonged to a little Hungarian girl named Margaret. This little girl used to take the best of care of her dolls. She gave them good things to eat, cherries, apricots, peaches, apricot jam and candied strawberries.

       When their clothing became soiled, Margaret washed it in a nearby stream, just as her own clothing was washed.

       Margaret made feather beds and embroidered feather pillows for all three little doll beds. At night she helped her dolls to bed.

       On Sunday afternoons Margaret often took the dolls for long walks, so that they could see other children and other children could see them.

       Margaret was lonely for awhile after the dolls left for America, but now that she has a family of American dolls to care for and teach her the language, she seems busy and satisfied. Besides, she often hears from Maria Theresa, Istvan and Feri.

previous slide or next slide