r of
injured triumph, "but I've got a letter from Herbert."

The younger woman flushed.

"Why, of course, I care," she retorted cheerily. "What does he say?"

"He wrote it several days ago. It got missent. But it's such a nice
letter!"

"They always are."

"It asks particularly how I am, and says he's sorry I have to suffer so.
_He_ cares."

Only the swift red in Helen's cheeks showed that the daughter understood
the emphasis.

"Of course he cares," she answered smoothly.

"And he sent me a present, too--money!" Mrs. Raymond's usually fretful
whine carried a ring of exultation.

Helen lifted her head eagerly.

"Money?"

"Yes. A new crisp dollar bill. He told me to get something pretty--some
little trinket that I'd like."

"But, a dollar--only a dollar," murmured Helen. "Now you're needing a
wrapper, but that--"

"A wrapper, indeed!" interrupted Mrs. Raymond in fine scorn. "A wrapper
is n't a 'trinket' for me! I'd have wrappers anyway, of course. He said
to buy something pretty; something I'd like. But then, I might have
known. _You_ never think I need anything but wrappers and--and codfish!
I--I'm glad I've got one child that--that appreciates!" And Mrs. Raymond
lifted her handkerchief to her eyes.

Across the table Helen caught her lower lip between her teeth. For a
moment she did not speak; then very gently she said:--

"Mother, you did n't quite mean that, I'm sure. You know very well that
I--I'd dress you in silks and velvets, and feed you on strawberries and
cream, if I could. It's only that--that-- But never mind. Use the
dollar as you please, dear. Is n't there something--some little thing
you would like?"

Mrs. Raymond lowered her handkerchief. Her grieved eyes looked
reproachfully across at her daughter.

"I'd thought of--a tie; a lace tie with pretty ends; a _nice_ tie. You
_know_ how I like nice things!"

"Of course, you do; and you shall have it, too," cried Helen. "I'll
bring some home tomorrow night for you to select from. Now that will be
fine, won't it?"

The other drew a resigned sigh.

"'Fine'! That's just like you, Helen. You never appreciate--never
realize. Perhaps you do think it's 'fine' to stay mewed up at home here
and have ties _brought_ to you instead of going out yourself to the store
and buying them, like other women!"

"Oh, but just don't look at it that way," retorted Helen in a cheerful
voice. "Just imagine you're a queen, or a presi