Even though Annie was one of the older orphans in her room, she had no one to look after. Pepper didn't want to have that responsibility, but Kate had Tessie and July that she single-handedly raised. But this changed one day. When Annie was locked in her room after being punished for running away, Miss Hannigan ushered in a 4-year old girl who had just lost her parents in a car crash.

"This is Molly." Miss Hannigan said. "I am handing her over to my least favorite group of orphans so she can stay with who she belongs with."

Molly was 4, but she acted like a baby. She was soaked from the freezing cold rain that she had just come out of, but this may as well have been from all of the tears pouring out of her big brown eyes. She had lived a nice life with her mom and dad, until they died in a car crash. Now the very sensitive little girl had joined the ranks of these despondent orphans.

Now that the evil orphan mistress had left the room, the little girl was left standing there, still shivering and weeping. Annie did not have the motherly soul that Kate had, but she was born with a pure and blessed heart, and saw in Molly's precious eyes another purpose for her to serve in this orphanage.

"Molly, don't cry; don't be scared baby. It's going to be alright." Annie hugged and kissed her. She wiped her eyes and brushed away her wet locks from her face. "Annie's here. I'll be your friend. Don't you worry. Don't you worry about a thing."

Molly was stunned by the outpouring of affection from her red-headed fellow orphan, then she suddenly felt safe. This feeling of warmth and protection from this loving friend would define Molly's relationship with Annie for years to come.

"Who are you?" Asked Molly.

"I'm Annie, and I will take care of you, and there is nothing for you to fear."

Annie told Molly about the going ons of the orphanage. The complete apprehension that filled Molly's whole self had lightened considerably, but when she heard of the other girls that lived in the room, Molly felt anxiety.

When Duffy, Tessie, July, Kate and Pepper came back into their shared bedroom, they found out about their new friend.

Annie introduced them. "This is Molly, girls. She is 4 years old and just came here. Molly, this is Kate, Duffy, July, Tessie, and Pepper."

Molly was very shy, and she did not greet them. On the contrary, she hid behind Annie, hoping they would go away and come back later.

"Wow. She sure is a stupid baby." Complained Pepper of course.

Kate intervened. "Hey Molly. Please don't hide. I want to be your friend." Beckoning July and Tessie over, she continued. "Girls, I want you to be best friends with Molly for me, will you?"

The little girls agreed, and Molly began to smile. It made her feel better knowing that even though this was a harsh place to be living, she had friends who loved her and would protect her.

Except for Pepper, who continued to make demeaning comments about her. Pepper did not like it when new orphans came in, because she thought it would give her less attention, and she didn't have that many friends. So she took out her frustration on Molly, who was being showered with affection from all of the other girls.

"Molly, is there anything you want to do now that you are here?" Annie asked. This was usually the time when the orphans went into the common room and played with the other girls, but they would stay in here if Molly wanted. Molly gained new courage to see the other orphans, and she wanted to play with them.

"Can we play a game?" She asked.

"Yes!" Annie exclaimed.

Despite Molly's initial doubts and trepidations, all of the other girls were overcome with how cute and affable Molly looked.

"Looked at her little cheeks!" admired a girl in a warmhearted tone.

"Oh come on. She is just another baby! Don't lose your socks over her!" Complained Pepper. But the orphans continued to fall for the girl's sweet eyes. A girl suggested that they play a game, and everyone wanted Molly on their team, so they had to settle for "Duck Duck Goose." Molly ended up winning because everyone let her.

"Yay Molly you won!" applauded Kate.

Molly at this point had forgotten most of her worries about this crowd, and had grown to love her new friends.