r book with her, they went on talking very
low so as not to disturb her. The conversation was entirely about
Kettles, and the subject proved so engrossing that Pennie quite forgot
all her late vexations and was perfectly amiable and pleasant. It was
indeed long since she and Nancy had had such a comfortable talk
together, and agreed so fully in their interests. As they jogged
steadily home along the well-known road, new fancies as to the details
of Kettles' life and surroundings constantly occurred to them; there was
even a certain pleasure in heightening all the miseries which they felt
sure she had to bear.

"In the winter," said Nancy, "she has chilblains on her feet--broken
ones."

Pennie shuddered. She knew what chilblains were.

"They must hurt her dreadfully," she said, "in those great, thick
boots."

"And no stockings," added Nancy relentlessly.

"Oh, Nancy!" said Pennie.

She felt almost as sorry as if Nancy were telling her positive facts.

"Wouldn't it be a good thing to get one of those thick grey pairs of
stockings for her out of the shop at Easney," said Nancy after a short
silence, "and a pair of boots to fit?"

"I've got no money," replied Pennie shortly.

"Well, no more have I now," said Nancy; "but we could save some. You'd
much better give up that stupid mandarin thing. You don't even know
whether Miss Unity would like it."

Now Pennie was at heart very much attracted by the idea of supplying
Kettles with comfortable stockings and boots. It was a splendid idea,
but it had one drawback--it was not her own. Her own plan had been cast
aside and rejected, and she could not meekly fall in with this new one
of Nancy's, however good it might be. Pennie was a kind-hearted little
girl, and always ready to help others, but she liked to do it in her own
way. She was fond of leading, advising, and controlling; but when it
came to following counsel and taking advice herself she did not find it
pleasant. Therefore, because the new mandarin was an idea of her own
she was still determined to carry it through, though, in truth, she had
almost lost sight of her first wish--to give Miss Unity pleasure.

So now she made no answer, and Nancy, looking eagerly at her, saw a
little troubled frown instead of a face covered with smiles.

"You'll never get enough to buy it alone," she continued. "And just
think how Kettles would like new boots and stockings!"

As she spoke they turned in at the Vicar