all sorts of plans and
additions to plans; and half unconsciously her lace work grew like her
visions, fine and smooth, under her hands. However, Christmas gifts
were not to be quite despised or neglected, either; Matilda took time
once or twice to go out and make purchases. They were as modest and
carefully made purchases as could be. Mrs. Laval she had already
provided for, and Norton. For Judy Matilda bought a Scotch book mark or
leaf cutter, which cost two shillings. For David, a nice photograph
view of Jerusalem. A basket of fruit she sent by express to
Poughkeepsie to Maria; and Letitia's dress she matched with a silk
cravat for Anne. When these things were off her mind, and out of her
purse, Matilda counted carefully the money that was left, and put it
away in her trunk with tolerable satisfaction. It was, she thought, a
good little fund yet.

Meanwhile the lace-mending was almost done. Mrs. Laval came into
Matilda's room on the Thursday morning before Christmas, when Matilda
was putting her last touches to the work; and sat for some time
watching her. Then suddenly broke out with a new thought, as it seemed.

"You have no dress to wear to-morrow night!"

Matilda looked up in great astonishment.

"Mamma!--there is my red silk--and my green--and my blue crape."

"No white dress. I must have you in white."

"I have a white frock. It is old."

"_That_ wouldn't do, you dear child," said Mrs. Laval. "I'll have a
muslin for you. Judy will be in white, and so must you."

Matilda bent over her work again with pulses throbbing and cheeks
tingling with pleasure. But in another minute she looked up, and her
face had changed.

"How much would that new white dress cost, mamma?"

"I don't know," Mrs. Laval answered carelessly. "Sash and all--twenty
or twenty-five dollars perhaps."

Matilda went at her work again, but her fingers trembled. A minute
more, and she had thrown it down and was kneeling at Mrs. Laval's knee.

"Mamma, I want to ask you something."

"You may," said Mrs. Laval smiling.

"It is a _great_ something."

"I dare say you think so. Well, ask it."

"Mamma, I wish you would let me go without that white dress, and do
something else with the money!"

"Something else? What?" said Mrs. Laval, with inward amusement.

In answer to which, Matilda poured out the story of Sarah and her
wants, and her own wishes respecting them. Mrs. Laval heard her till
she had done, and then put both arms around