a won't let me spend money; she has her views about folks
spending money, she says."

"I wouldn't want her for _my_ aunt," said Patricia.

"Well, she isn't your aunt," snapped Arabella, and now they had reached
the little candy store, and Patricia, grasping Arabella's hand, walked
boldly in.

Arabella was greatly impressed, and when Patricia asked her which kind
she would like to have, she managed to just whisper that _any_ kind
would do.

At Arabella's home Aunt Matilda reigned supreme, and it was said that no
one, not even Mr. Corryville, dared spend any money, unless Aunt
Matilda approved, but that might not be true.

Arabella thought it very grand that Patricia had enough money to buy
whatever she wished, and her surprise increased when she chose a
half-pound of two different kinds, ordering the clerk to put them in
separate papers.

"You can have that bundle, and I'll have this," said Patricia, as they
left the store, "and now we'll go over to my house, it's that one next
to the school."

Arabella looked toward the house at which Patricia pointed. It did not
look at all like the homes of her other friends. Patricia rang the bell,
and they heard the lock slip, then they commenced to mount the stairs.
The building was four stories high, and Patricia lived on the top floor.

"We like the top floor because it's so airy," she said.

Arabella said nothing, but when they were seated cosily in the corners
of an old sofa, each with her package of candy, Arabella was glad that
she had come.

A few moments later Patricia's mother entered. She was showily dressed,
and her many pieces of jewelry made Arabella stare. She did not know
that those glittering rings and bangles were worth very little money.

"Now, Patricia, you know I don't like to have you buy so much candy,"
whined Mrs. Lavine.

"I haven't _much_ candy," replied Patricia, "that Arabella's got belongs
to her."

Arabella looked quickly at Patricia. Was not that a sort of fib?
Patricia had not _said_ that Arabella had bought her package of candy,
but she had certainly intended her mother to think so.

Mrs. Lavine took a book from the table, and sat down by the window to
read.

Soon Patricia became restless.

"Let's go out again," she said, and in a few moments they were running
down the stairs, and out into the street.

"I've got a little more money, and we'll have some ice cream," said
Patricia.

Arabella wondered where she got her money, but