Chapter Three Mrs. Thimble’s Store

Angelina loved visiting Mrs. Thimble’s store. She had been going there since she was a tiny mouseling, and Mrs. Thimble always greeted her with a smile and treated Angelina and Polly to cookies from her delicious bakery.

Mrs. Thimble sold everything from bakery goods to pots, pans, dishes, and glasses, as well as local farm vegetables and freshly baked bread. Way in the back of the store was Angelina’s favorite spot—the Bargain Corner. It was filled with all sorts of secondhand treasures: buttons and bows, fabrics, funny hats, high-heeled shoes, and a mixed assortment of clothing. There was so much more than in Angelina’s dressing-up box, and Angelina always found nice surprises.

“Good morning, Mrs. Thimble,” said Angelina and Alice as they entered the store. Mrs. Thimble waved from behind the counter.

“Goodness me—you girls get taller every time I see you,” she chuckled.

The two friends hurried off to explore the Bargain Corner, while Mrs. Mouseling did some grocery shopping with Polly.

Among the rows of secondhand clothes and accessories, Angelina quickly spied a big straw hat covered with yellow paper roses.

“Miss Lilly would love this hat!” Angelina said, putting it on Alice. Alice twirled in front of the mirror.

“Look, I’m Miss Lilly now,” she said with a giggle. “Don’t forget to practice your pirouettes!”

Finally it was Angelina’s turn to find a costume. She told Alice all about her wonderful dream. “I can’t wait to dress up like Princess Aurora!” she said.

“Don’t get so fancy that you can’t run races,” said Alice, but Angelina wasn’t listening. She searched high and low through all the racks of clothing and fabrics, but there wasn’t anything sparkly enough for a ballerina princess.

“Crumbs,” said Angelina. “I can’t be Princess Aurora in my old tutu.”

“Can I help you?” asked Mrs. Thimble, looking over Angelina’s shoulder.

“Do you have something really special for a Sleeping Beauty costume?” Angelina asked.

“I have some lovely tulle and gauzy fabric somewhere,” said Mrs. Thimble. She got out a ladder and brought down a box from a high shelf.

“Ooh, this is pretty!” said Angelina, opening the box. It was just what she wanted: a light, gauzy pink fabric with lots of shiny sequins!

“Pretty enough for a princess,” agreed Mrs. Thimble.

“It will make the best ballerina costume ever!” said Angelina, showing it to her mother, who had come back from grocery shopping.

Mrs. Mouseling agreed. “You’ve been such a good helper today, I’m happy to buy it for you,” she said. “We can sew it onto your tutu to make a lovely princess gown.”

“Thank you, Mom,” said Angelina, giving her mother a hug.

Then Angelina spotted some shiny rhinestones for her tiara. “That’s lucky. I have just enough pocket money!” Angelina said.

Mrs. Thimble wrapped everything up and handed Angelina her package. “It’s delicate material, so you’ll have to be careful,” she said.

“I promise to be careful like Princess Aurora!” said Angelina.

As they were leaving, Mrs. Thimble kindly gave Angelina, Alice, and Polly a yummy chocolate chip cookie each.

“Thank you, Mrs. Thimble!” they said.

Then the four of them walked home through the village, feeling very happy with Alice’s flowery hat and Angelina’s precious package.