he windows of the little dining-room was blocked up, but that window
was not needed.

Mr. Burke was not willing to give Mrs. Cliff more than a day or two for
the contemplation of her new possessions, and urged upon her that while
the chimneys were being erected and the heating apparatus was being put
into the house, she ought to attend to the selection and purchase of the
carpets, furniture, pictures, and everything which was needed in the new
establishment.

Mrs. Cliff thought this good advice, and proposed a trip to Boston; but
Burke did not think that would do at all, and declared that New York was
the only place where she could get everything she needed. Willy, who was
to accompany Mrs. Cliff, had been to Boston, but had never visited New
York, and she strongly urged the claims of the latter city, and an
immediate journey to the metropolis was agreed upon.

But when Mrs. Cliff considered the magnitude and difficulties of the
work she was about to undertake, she wished for the counsel and advice
of some one besides Willy. This good little woman was energetic and
enthusiastic, but she had had no experience in regard to the furnishing
of a really good house.

When, in her mind, she was running over the names of those who might be
able and willing to go with her and assist her, Mrs. Cliff suddenly
thought of the Thorpedyke ladies, and there her mental category stopped
as she announced to Willy that she was going to ask these ladies to go
with them to New York.

Willy thought well of this plan, but she had her doubts about Miss
Barbara, who was so quiet, domestic, and unused to travel that she might
be unwilling to cast herself into the din and whirl of the metropolis.
But when she and Mrs. Cliff went to make a call upon the Thorpedykes and
put the question before them, she was very much surprised to find that,
although the elder sister, after carefully considering the subject,
announced her willingness to oblige Mrs. Cliff, Miss Barbara agreed to
the plan with an alacrity which her visitors had never known her to
exhibit before.

As soon as the necessary preparations could be made, a party of five
left Plainton for New York, and a very well-assorted party it was! Mr.
Burke, who guided and commanded the expedition, supplied the impelling
energy; Mrs. Cliff had her check book with her; Willy was ready with any
amount of enthusiasm; and the past life of Miss Eleanor Thorpedyke and
her sister Barbara had made them mo