The Story — The Hundred Dresses Part II

The following Monday, when Miss Mason arrived in class, she held in her hand a letter. She asked the class to settle down and then read it aloud. It was from Wanda's father. He was writing to say that Wanda would not be coming to their school any longer. He wrote that his family was moving to a bigger city where there were more people like them — where nobody would make fun of strange names, and where nobody would have to be embarrassed on account of what they were called. Irony He did not say that his daughter had been hurt. He did not name anyone. He was very polite about it. But everyone in Room Thirteen understood what his words really meant. Symbolism

Peggy was silent for a long time after Miss Mason finished reading. Then she said, very quietly, "I never meant to hurt Wanda. I didn't know she lived on Boggins Heights. I thought it was funny." Maddie said nothing. But she felt the words land somewhere inside her — not like an accusation, exactly, but like something true she had been avoiding. Metaphor She had not hurt Wanda intentionally either. But had she really tried to stop it? Had she ever said a single word in Wanda's defence? The answer sat in her chest, heavy and uncomfortable.

That afternoon, Peggy and Maddie walked slowly toward Boggins Heights — up the muddy lane, past the tumbledown houses, until they found the address they believed was Wanda's. They stood in front of a small, worn house for a moment. Nobody came to the door. The house appeared empty. Wanda was already gone. Imagery They turned and walked back in silence. Maddie could not help noticing that Peggy seemed to have settled the matter for herself — "I never meant to," Peggy had said. And that, for Peggy, seemed sufficient. But for Maddie, it was not.

That night Maddie lay awake thinking. She made a decision: she would never again stand by silently while someone was made to feel small. If Peggy ever started up something like that again, Maddie would say something — even if it meant losing Peggy as a friend. She would rather lose a friend than carry this weight of silence again. It was a simple resolution, but in that room, in that small town, at that age, it cost her something real. Symbolism

Together, Peggy and Maddie wrote a letter to Wanda — a warm and friendly one, not mentioning the dresses at all. They said they hoped she liked her new school and her new city. They told her about what was happening at Room Thirteen — the way the drawings were still displayed there, the way everyone admired them. They did not say they were sorry; they could not quite bring themselves to write those words. Perhaps they were afraid. Perhaps they felt that "sorry" was inadequate for what had happened. Irony They posted the letter and waited.

Christmas arrived. Among the Christmas cards and notes, there was a letter addressed to Miss Mason — from Wanda. She wrote that she wanted to give the drawings to the class. She also had a special message: the drawing of the girl in the blue-and-green dress, with the wavy auburn hair, was for Peggy. And the one of the girl in the crimson dress — that was for Maddie. Symbolism She wished them all a Merry Christmas.

Maddie stared at the drawing Wanda had given her. The girl in the crimson dress had a bright, wide smile. She had wavy auburn hair — the same shade as Maddie's own. And with a sharp jolt that almost took her breath away, Maddie realised something. Wanda had drawn her. Wanda had drawn the girl in the dress with the same hair as Maddie's — the girl who had stood silently while others laughed. But Wanda had given her the drawing anyway. Irony No anger. No accusation. Just a gift. Just a smile on paper. Maddie's eyes filled with tears.