Boston. But the one we
expected to-day didn't come."

"The little girl likes to make people think that she has nicer
things than anybody else," Maida thought. She started to speak. If
she had permitted herself to go on, she would have said: "The candy
in this shop is quite good enough for any little girl. But I won't
sell it to you, anyway." But, instead, she said as quietly as she
could: "No, I don't believe there's anything here that you'll care
for. But I'm sure you'll find lots of expensive candy on Main
Street."

The little girl evidently was not expecting that answer. She
lingered, still looking into the show case. "I guess I'll take five
cents' worth of peppermints," she said finally. Some of the
importance had gone out of her voice.

Maida put the candy into a bag and handed it to her without
speaking. The girl bustled towards the door. Half-way, she stopped
and came back.

"My name is Laura Lathrop," she said. "What's yours?"

"Maida."

"Maida?" the girl repeated questioningly. "Maida?--oh, yes, I
know--Maida Flynn. Where did you live before you came here?"

"Oh, lots of places."

"But where?" Laura persisted.

"Boston, New York, Newport, Pride's Crossing, the Adirondacks,
Europe."

"Oh, my! Have you been to Europe?" Laura's tone was a little
incredulous.

"I lived abroad a year."

"Can you speak French?"

"Oui, Mademoiselle, je parle Francais un peu."

"Say some more," Laura demanded.

Maida smiled. "Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf,
dix, onze, douze--"

Laura looked impressed. "Do you speak any other language?"

"Italian and German--a very little."

Laura stared hard at her and her look was full of question. But it
was evident that she decided to believe Maida.

"I live in Primrose Court," she said, and now there was not a shadow
of condescension left in her voice. "That large house at the back
with the big lawn about it. I'd like to have you come and play with
me some afternoon. I'm very busy most of the time, though. I take
music and fancy dancing and elocution. Next winter, I'm going to
take up French. I'll send you word some afternoon when I have time
to play."

"Thank you," Maida said in her most civil voice. "Come and play with
me sometime," she added after a pause.

"Oh, my mother doesn't let me play in other children's houses,"
Laura said airily. "Good-bye."

"Good-bye," Maida answered.

She waited until Laura had disappeared into the court. "Gran