'the correct thing' this
time," said Dexie; "so do let me out, Lancy. Give me three minutes, and I
will return with or without her."

Dexie had noticed Nina's wistful face in the window as they drove up, so
she ran into the house without ceremony.

"Come, Nina, can you get ready to go for a drive in three minutes? Say,
quick!"

"Oh, I would _love_ to go, but mamma is out, and I could not get ready so
soon without her. Oh, I am so sorry!" and she looked her disappointment.

"Come along; I'll dress you in a jiffy," and she pulled her out into the
hall, and from among the clothing which hung in the cloak closet she soon
had her muffled to the ears, in spite of Nina's repeated protests that
_none_ of those articles of clothing belonged to herself, but to her uncle.

"Oh, I am so afraid; indeed, I feel _sure_ mamma would say that it is not
the correct thing to go like this."

"Oh, no matter; hurry, or they won't wait for us. It won't hurt to be
dressed in this rig for a short time," and Dexie hurriedly buttoned the big
coat around her, and pulled a fur cap down over her ears, completely
concealing her identity.

"My muff and furs are upstairs somewhere. Mamma put them away."

"This will keep your neck warm," and Dexie snatched a fancy woollen afagan
from the back of a chair, and wrapped it around Nina's neck. "Put your
hands up your sleeves, and you will never miss your muff," and she hurried
her _double_ out on the sidewalk.

"Time is just up," said Fred, "but you have done it complete. Let me help
you in, Miss Gordon," and Nina was soon tucked in among the rest.

"Now, drive on as fast as you like; we must not keep her out long, for fear
her mother should see her. I expect she would never hear the last of it.
For once the correct thing has been set aside. What do you say, Elsie?"
Dexie whispered; "I am sure Nina will enjoy the drive, even though she may
be tormented with the thought of her novel wrappings."

Nina did indeed enjoy the drive. It was so seldom that any girlish
pleasures came her way that for once she forgot to worry about her
appearance.

Dexie's self-reliant manner was doing much to inspire Nina with courage to
act on her own responsibility occasionally, and the few weeks' acquaintance
with girls of her own age made quite an improvement in her manner, so that
she could now laugh with the rest at the harmless jokes which passed back
and forth, without waiting to consult her mamma about the propri