"The very purest," corroborated Rebecca.

"No acid in it?"

"Not a trace."

"And yet a child could do the Monday washing with it and use no force."

"A babe," corrected Rebecca

"Oh! a babe, eh? That child grows younger every year, instead of
older--wise child!"

This was great good fortune, to find a customer who knew all the
virtues of the article in advance. Rebecca dimpled more and more, and
at her new friend's invitation sat down on a stool at his side near the
edge of the porch. The beauties of the ornamental box which held the
Rose-Red were disclosed, and the prices of both that and the Snow-White
were unfolded. Presently she forgot all about her silent partner at the
gate and was talking as if she had known this grand personage all her
life.

"I'm keeping house to-day, but I don't live here," explained the
delightful gentleman. "I'm just on a visit to my aunt, who has gone to
Portland. I used to be here as a boy and I am very fond of the spot."

"I don't think anything takes the place of the farm where one lived
when one was a child," observed Rebecca, nearly bursting with pride at
having at last successfully used the indefinite pronoun in general
conversation.

The man darted a look at her and put down his ear of corn. "So you
consider your childhood a thing of the past, do you, young lady?"

"I can still remember it," answered Rebecca gravely, "though it seems a
long time ago."

"I can remember mine well enough, and a particularly unpleasant one it
was," said the stranger.

"So was mine," sighed Rebecca. "What was your worst trouble?"

"Lack of food and clothes principally."

"Oh!" exclaimed Rebecca sympathetically,--"mine was no shoes and too
many babies and not enough books. But you're all right and happy now,
aren't you?" she asked doubtfully, for though he looked handsome,
well-fed, and prosperous, any child could see that his eyes were tired
and his mouth was sad when he was not speaking.

"I'm doing pretty well, thank you," said the man, with a delightful
smile. "Now tell me, how much soap ought I to buy to-day?"

"How much has your aunt on hand now?" suggested the very modest and
inexperienced agent; "and how much would she need?"

"Oh, I don't know about that; soap keeps, doesn't it?"

"I'm not certain," said Rebecca conscientiously, "but I'll look in the
circular--it's sure to tell;" and she drew the document from her pocket.

"What are you going to do with the magnificent pr