it was not that
amiable desire alone which made her ignore the neat white parcels which
the druggist's boy deposited on the front seat and kept her lingering a
little longer to enjoy one of the small triumphs which girls often risk
more than a cold in the head to display. The sight of several snowflakes
on the broad shoulders which partially obstructed her view, as well as
the rapidly increasing animation of Pemberton's chat, reminded her that
it was high time to go.

"I mustn't keep you it is beginning to storm," she said, taking up her
muff, much to old Jacob's satisfaction, for small talk is not exciting
to a hungry man whose nose feels like an icicle.

"Is it? I thought the sun was shining." And the absorbed gentleman
turned to the outer world with visible reluctance, for it looked very
warm and cozy in the red-lined carriage.

"Wise people say we must carry our sunshine with us," answered Rose,
taking refuge in commonplaces, for the face at the window grew pensive
suddenly as he answered, with a longing look, "I wish I could." Then,
smiling gratefully, he added, "Thank you for giving me a little of
yours."

"You are very welcome." And Rose offered him her hand while her eyes
mutely asked pardon for withholding her leave to keep it.

He pressed it silently and, shouldering the umbrella which he forgot to
open, turned away with an "up again and take another" expression, which
caused the soft eyes to follow him admiringly.

"I ought not to have kept him a minute longer than I could help, for it
wasn't all pity; it was my foolish wish to show off and do as I liked
for a minute, to pay for being good about the gown. Oh, me! How weak
and silly I am in spite of all my trying!" And Miss Campbell fell into a
remorseful reverie, which lasted till she got home.

"Now, young man, what brought you out in this driving storm?" asked Rose
as Jamie came stamping in that same afternoon.

"Mama sent you a new book thought you'd like it. I don't mind your
old storms!" replied the boy, wrestling his way out of his coat and
presenting a face as round and red and shiny as a well-polished Baldwin
apple.

"Much obliged it is just the day to enjoy it and I was longing for
something nice to read," said Rose as Jamie sat down upon the lower
stair for a protracted struggle with his rubber boots.

"Here you are, then no yes I do believe I've forgotten it, after all!"
cried Jamie, slapping his pockets one after the other with a dism