Aunt Evelyn, a nurse in a Paris hospital during World War I, receives a heartfelt letter from her eight-year-old goddaughter, Robina, who expresses her desire for a beautiful bride doll. Despite her limited finances, Evelyn decides to forgo a planned trip to England to fulfill Robina's wish, believing it to be a special gift that will bring joy to the child. She orders an exquisite doll, "La Marquise," complete with a trunk of clothes, and eagerly anticipates Robina's delight. As Evelyn immerses herself in the daily challenges of the hospital, she encounters a wounded soldier, Corporal Duplessis, who is struggling with the pain of his injuries and the emotional burden of a promise made to his young daughter, Jeanne. He had vowed to send her a beautiful doll, similar to one he had seen at a wedding, but now fears he will not survive to keep that promise. His deep sorrow and longing to fulfill his father's duty weigh heavily on him. Evelyn, moved by his plight, offers to deliver the doll to Jeanne on his behalf. She rushes back to the doll shop, where Madame, the shopkeeper, is touched by the story and prepares the doll for delivery. Evelyn returns to the hospital with the doll, and as she presents it to Duplessis, a transformation occurs. The soldier's eyes light up with joy, and he feels a sense of peace wash over him, as if the fulfillment of his promise has lifted the weight of his suffering. In a poignant moment, the doll becomes a symbol of hope and love, bridging the gap between a father and his daughter, even in the face of death. Duplessis finds solace in knowing that his promise will be kept, allowing him to let go of his earthly ties. The story concludes with the realization that sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can have profound effects, transcending the horrors of war and bringing light to the darkest of circumstances.
By Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · First published 1922 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature