than mine, despite the lack of the care which mine had always
received, or that I had less self-control over my emotions; certain it
is that I burst into a passion of tears and sobs, which astonished not
only the good florist and his wife, but also my own sister and friend.
I was ashamed of them, but could not control them; and perhaps it was
as well that I could not do so immediately, for those tears made their
way where all else had failed to effect an entrance; and, to my great
astonishment, Matty seized with both her hands upon mine, which in my
great pity and sympathy I had laid upon her shoulder, and, carrying it
to her face, laid her cheek upon it. The next instant she dropped it,
and sat looking down with the same stolid expression that she
ordinarily wore. Indeed, it had hardly changed even at the moment of
that most unusual demonstration, for no trace of any emotion had been
visible on the worn, old little face.

Tony was delighted, as pleased as though his sister had given evidence
of some wonderful talent, or performed some heroic action.

"She likes ye, miss," he exclaimed, "an' I allus knowed she did, though
she wouldn't let on. She likes ye fust rate, though she wor kinder
back'ard 'bout lettin' on. Now don't ye like the lady, Matty? If she
hadn't liked ye lots, miss, she wouldn't er----" Here he checked
himself with a frightened, embarrassed look, and rushing out of the
little store, applied himself vigorously to the turning of his empty,
tireless peanut-roaster.

But not a word, and not another token of any thing like feeling, was to
be drawn from Matty. The rock had hardened again, and to all
appearances no softening influences could be brought to bear upon it.
It was not until Mrs. Petersen again expressed her positive intention
of going to call the elder Blairs to account, and was about to start
off for that purpose, that the child roused herself again, and turned,
with something of apprehension in her expression, to look for Tony,
who, having discovered that he was working aimlessly, was making ready
to kindle his charcoal and fill his roaster.

"I go to dat mutter an' fader; I gif dem some pieces of my mi-int,"
said Mrs. Petersen, as she turned toward the door; but Milly stopped
her.

"Do not, please, Mrs. Petersen," she said, in a tone too low to reach
Matty's ear. "It will only make trouble for yourself and us. We cannot
give poor Matty back her beautiful hair; and if you vex those dreadful