r? If she wants one and there's plenty of money left?"

Then Arethusa looked still more hopefully at Miss Eliza, for sometimes
Miss Asenath's gentle vote prevailed; but this time it was not so to
be. Miss Eliza bit off her thread with as much decision as ever Atropos
dares use in cutting hers.

"You always did care a lot too much about color, 'Senath," she said,
though not in the least unkindly; no one was ever unkind to Miss
Asenath, "and Arethusa is just like you. But as for getting her a green
dress to wear with that red head of hers, why it would be a waste, and
a perfectly sinful waste, of money, because I know her step-mother
wouldn't let her wear it. She would think _I_ was crazy besides."

Both Arethusa and Miss Asenath were quite inclined to disagree with
her. Miss Asenath was wise enough to know that she could say nothing
further to change the decision; and she communicated to Arethusa, with
a shake of her head, that she was not to attempt it, either ... for
the latter's mouth had plainly opened for speech. Be it said to her
everlasting credit, that she struggled hard with this disappointment,
and turned away to put on her dress without any other plea.

"Your Aunt 'Titia and I," continued Miss Eliza, (she had not seen this
bit of by-play) "had about decided to get you a white dress. We thought
that if it weren't of too sheer material, you might wear it to
entertainments there in the city--because I suppose you'll be invited
to some--even if it is cold weather, without having to take off your
underwear, which is always dangerous in winter."

"I don't want an old, thick, white dress...." began Arethusa,
rebelliously, but a chorus of "Arethusas" interrupted her.

It was very gentle from Miss Asenath; very plaintive from Miss Letitia,
who was dreading another tilt; and very, very stern from Miss Eliza,
who added, "If your Aunt 'Titia is good enough to make you a white
dress, you ought to be very grateful, instead of acting as you do! I
doubt the wisdom of your having one at all, myself, I must say. A white
dress in the winter-time! When I was a girl, I would have thought that
a great deal to have!"

But Arethusa failed to be properly impressed. Her dislike of the idea
of the white dress showed so plainly in her ever-changing face, that
Miss Asenath silently held out her hand and Arethusa flew to that
haven, her couch.

"I wouldn't worry, dear, about my dress," whispered Miss Asenath. She
sometimes just co