n't you see what I
did? I had them take off the quills, and put on some of those Phoebe
Simms gave me from her peacocks. The hat will only cost you a dollar and
a half."

She avoided Wesley's eyes, and looked straight at Mrs. Comstock. Elnora
removed the hat to examine it.

"Why, they are those reddish-tan quills of yours!" she cried. "Mother,
look how beautifully they are set on! I'd much rather have them than
those from the store."

"So would I," said Mrs. Comstock. "If Margaret wants to spare them, that
will make you a beautiful hat; dirt cheap, too! You must go past Mrs.
Simms and show her. She would be pleased to see them."

Elnora sank into a chair and contemplated her toe. "Landy, ain't I a
queen?" she murmured. "What else have I got?"

"Just a belt, some handkerchiefs, and a pair of top shoes for rainy days
and colder weather," said Margaret.

"About those high shoes, that was my idea," said Wesley. "Soon as it
rains, low shoes won't do, and by taking two pairs at once I could get
them some cheaper. The low ones are two and the high ones two fifty,
together three seventy-five. Ain't that cheap?"

"That's a real bargain," said Mrs. Comstock, "if they are good shoes,
and they look it."

"This," said Wesley, producing the last package, "is your Christmas
present from your Aunt Maggie. I got mine, too, but it's at the house.
I'll bring it up in the morning."

He handed Margaret the umbrella, and she passed it over to Elnora who
opened it and sat laughing under its shelter. Then she kissed both of
them. She brought a pencil and a slip of paper to set down the prices
they gave her of everything they had brought except the umbrella, added
the sum, and said laughingly: "Will you please wait till to-morrow for
the money? I will have it then, sure."

"Elnora," said Wesley Sinton. "Wouldn't you----"

"Elnora, hustle here a minute!" called Mrs. Comstock from the kitchen.
"I need you!"

"One second, mother," answered Elnora, throwing off the coat and hat,
and closing the umbrella as she ran. There were several errands to do
in a hurry, and then supper. Elnora chattered incessantly, Wesley and
Margaret talked all they could, while Mrs. Comstock said a word now and
then, which was all she ever did. But Wesley Sinton was watching her,
and time and again he saw a peculiar little twist around her mouth. He
knew that for the first time in sixteen years she really was laughing
over something. She had all she could d