brother, and of
course a brother is a good deal better than a sister."

"Yes," said Content, eagerly.

"I am going," said Jim, "to marry Lucy Rose when I grow up, but I
haven't got any sister, and I'd like you first rate for one. So I'll be
your big brother instead of your cousin."

"Big brother Solly?"

"Say, Content, that is an awful name, but I don't care. You're only
a girl. You can call me anything you want to, but you mustn't call me
Solly when there is anybody within hearing."

"I won't."

"Because it wouldn't do," said Jim with weight.

"I never will, honest," said Content.

Presently they went into the house. Dr. Trumbull was there; he had
been talking seriously to the rector and his wife. He had come over on
purpose.

"It is a perfect absurdity," he said, "but I made ten calls this
morning, and everywhere I was asked about that little Adams girl's big
sister--why you keep her hidden. They have a theory that she is either
an idiot or dreadfully disfigured. I had to tell them I know nothing
about it."

"There isn't any girl," said the rector, wearily. "Sally, do explain."

Dr. Trumbull listened. "I have known such cases," he said when Sally had
finished.

"What did you do for them?" Sally asked, anxiously.

"Nothing. Such cases have to be cured by time. Children get over these
fancies when they grow up."

"Do you mean to say that we have to put up with big sister Solly until
Content is grown up?" asked Sally, in a desperate tone. And then Jim
came in. Content had run up-stairs.

"It is all right, mother," said Jim.

Sally caught him by the shoulders. "Oh, Jim, has she told you?"

Jim gave briefly, and with many omissions, an account of his
conversation with Content.

"Did she say anything about that dress, Jim?" asked his mother.

"She said her aunt had meant it for that out-West rector's daughter Alice
to graduate in, but Content wanted it for her big sister Solly, and told
the rector's wife it was hers. Content says she knows she was a naughty
girl, but after she had said it she was afraid to say it wasn't so.
Mother, I think that poor little thing is scared 'most to death."

"Nobody is going to hurt her," said Sally. "Goodness! that rector's wife
was so conscientious that she even let that dress go. Well, I can send
it right back, and the girl will have it in time for her graduation,
after all. Jim dear, call the poor child down. Tell her nobody is going
to scold her." Sally's voic