oo, that granny was tired.

"And oh, granny," she went on breathlessly, "on her birthday Pauline wore
a muslin dress, with blue forget-me-nots worked all over it, and a blue
sash, and--and a hat just covered with forget-me-nots."

"She must have looked like a bed of them," remarked Granny.

"Oh, _I_ think she looked perfectly sweet! I'd love to have clothes like
she had. Of course, she didn't have to do _any_ work--nothing at all all
day long."

"Well, I know a little girl who doesn't do much," remarked granny quietly,
but Mona did not hear her.

"Granny, do you think I'll be able to have a new hat this summer?
Mine is ever so shabby--and shall I have forget-me-nots on it? I'd rather
have forget-me-nots than anything. I suppose I couldn't have a blue sash
to wear with it, could I, Gran? I don't think they cost very very much.
Millie Higgins, in at Seacombe, had a plaid one, and she was sure it
didn't cost a great deal, she said. Her uncle brought it to her,
but Millie never wears it. She doesn't like plaid; she wishes it was
pink. I'd wear it if 'twas mine, but I'd rather have a blue one. Do you
think I can have a new hat, granny?"

"We will see. If your father is able to send some more money for you I
might be able to manage it; but with your stepmother always ailing his
money seems to be all wanted for doctor's bills and medicines. It does
seem hard."

Mona's face fell. "And I don't suppose the medicine does any good, do
you, granny?"

"Some folks believe in it, and I s'pose if you believe in it it does you
good. For my own part, I never had but two bottles in my life, and I
don't see that I'm any the worse for going without. In fact, I----"

Mona, who always sat at the side of the table facing the window, sprang to
her feet excitedly. "Why, it's the postman! and he's coming in here,"
she interrupted, and was at the door to meet him before he had power to
knock. She came back more slowly, carefully studying the one letter she
held. "It's from father," she said eagerly, as she at last handed it to
her grandmother. "Oh, granny! I wonder if he has sent any money?"

Granny was evidently surprised. "A letter from your father! Whatever can
he be writing about? I haven't written to him since I had his last.
I hope he isn't having more trouble."

"Perhaps he has written to know why you haven't," said Mona shrewdly.

"Oh, granny, do make haste and open the letter, I am longing to know
what's