itchard. All we want now is your general or conditional approval."

Miss Pritchard smiled as she sighed. "I'm sure I don't know what the
Pritchards would say, but if Elsie's willing I confess I don't see any
objection."

Elsie's expression made any questioning of her unnecessary.

"My own Elsie, my darling daughter," murmured Mrs. Middleton in her
sentimental way, stroking Elsie's hair. But, strange to say, Elsie found
it all very grateful.

"As to Elsie M--" Miss Pritchard began, when she was interrupted by a
knock on the door, which she had left ajar (greatly to Kate's approval),
and Elsie Moss burst in.

In the excitement of the moment, she seemed her old self again--though
Miss Pritchard knew it to be a lovelier self. She stood a moment in the
doorway, a charming little figure in a smart rose-colored linen suit with
a large drooping hat perched coquettishly upon her short locks, her
dimples very conspicuous. Then she rushed upon Elsie Marley, who had
come forward shyly, and flung her arms about her.

Then she turned, her arm still about the other girl, to Miss Pritchard.

"I couldn't wait any longer, Cousin Julia," she said sweetly. "I just
had to see Elsie-Honey."

"We're to be real cousins," the other whispered, and the quick-witted
girl understood at once.

"How perfectly ripping!" she cried. "Oh, everybody's so dear and darling
that I should simply die of shame and remorse if I didn't just have to
stay alive to worship Cousin Julia and get acquainted with Uncle John and
Aunt Milly and--love my honey!"

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE MARLEY, HONEY***

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