tle black frock. And
she carried me down to dinner in her arms, and I sat in her lap."

"And that year you had a party," said Ann. "I remember that, for I
came. And the playhouse was built for Bess's birthday."

"So it was," said Rosemary, struck afresh. "That was all her doing,
too. She just has to want a thing, and it gets done! I'll never forget
Bess's wedding."

"Nor I," said Ann. "It was the most perfect little wedding I ever saw.
Not a hitch anywhere. And wasn't the house a bower? I never had so much
fun at any wedding in my life. Bess was so fresh and gay, and she and
George helped us until the very last minute--do you
remember?--gathering the roses and wrapping the cake. It was all ideal!"

"Bess told me the other day," said Rosemary, soberly, and in a lowered
tone, "that on her wedding-day, when she was dressed, you know, mamma
put on her veil, and pinned on the orange blossoms, and kissed her. And
Bess saw the tears in her eyes. And mamma laughed, and put her arm
about her and said: 'It is silly and wrong of me, dearest, but I was
thinking who might have been doing this for you to-day--of how proud
she would have been!' Then they came down, and Bess was married."

"Wasn't that like her?" said Ann. They were all silent a moment. Then
the visitor jumped up.

"Well, I must trot home to my deserted parent, my children," she
exclaimed briskly. "He rages if he comes in and doesn't find me. But,
if you ask me, I'll be over later to help you, Rose. Every one in the
world will be here for tea. And, meantime, make her rest, Ted. She
looks tired to death."

"I'll see thee home, Mistress," said Ted, gallantly, and Rosemary was
left alone. Her brother, coming in again nearly an hour afterward,
found her still in the same thoughtful attitude, her big eyes fixed
upon space. He knelt, and put his arm about her, and she drooped her
soft, cool little cheek against his, tightening her own arm about his
neck. There was a little silence.

"What is it?" said the boy, presently.

"Nothing, Teddy. But you're SUCH a comfort!"

"Well, but it's SOMETHING, old lady. Out with it!"

Rosemary tumbled his hair with her free hand.

"I was thinking of--mother," she confessed, very low.

His eyes were fast on hers for another short silence.

"Well,"--he spoke as if to a small child--"what were you thinking,
dear?"

"Oh, I was just thinking, Ted, that it's not fair. It isn't fair," said
Rosemary, with a little difficulty. "Not