_LITTLE MAID MARIAN_

[Illustration: "BE YE REMOVED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA"]

LITTLE MAIDMARIAN

BYAMY E. BLANCHARD

_Author of "Little Sister Anne, " "Mistress May, " "PlaymatePolly, " "Three Little Cousins, " etc. _

THE PENN PUBLISHINGCOMPANY PHILADELPHIA

Copyright, 1908, byGEORGE W. JACOBS AND COMPANY_Published July, 1908_

_All rights reserved_Printed in U. S. A. 

_CONTENTS_

 I. A MUSTARD SEED 9

 II. THE SCHOOL-TEACHER 27

 III. A NEW ROAD 47

 IV. COMPANIONS 67

 V. BLACKBERRIES 87

 VI. THE WHITE APRON 105

 VII. PATTY'S LETTER 125

VIII. A TRIP TO TOWN 143

 IX. A VISIT TO PATTY 161

 X. RUNNING AWAY 179

 XI. A LETTER'S REPLY 199

 XII. THE CHRISTMAS TREE 217

_CHAPTER I_

_A Mustard Seed_

The cat and kitten were both eating supper and Marian was watchingthem. Her own supper of bread and milk she had finished, and hadtaken the remains of it to Tippy and Dippy. Marian did not care verymuch for bread and milk, but the cat and kitten did, as was plainlyshown by the way they hunched themselves down in front of the tinpan into which Marian had poured their supper. 

In the next room Grandpa and Grandma Otway were sitting and littlebits of their talk came to Marian's ears once in a while when herthoughts ceased to wander in other directions. "If only one couldhave faith to believe implicitly, " Grandma Otway said. 

"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, and should say to thatmountain, be ye removed, " quoted Grandpa Otway. 

Marian sighed. They talked that way very often, she remembered, andshe herself had grown to consider it quite as difficult as did hergrandmother, to exercise complete faith. She had made numberlessmighty efforts, and yet things did not come out as she supposed theyought. She sat gravely watching the cat and kitten lap up the lastdrop of milk and carefully clean the sides of the pan in a mannerquite inelegant for humans, but no doubt entirely a matter ofetiquette in cat society, and then when Tippy, having done herduty by the pan, turned her attention to making Dippy tidy, Marian walked slowly away. 

The sun was setting behind the hills, and touching the tops of thetrees along their base; further away the mountains were very darkagainst a yellow line of sky. Marian continued her way thoughtfullytoward the garden, turned off before she reached the gate andclimbed a ladder which leaned against the side of the old brickwall. From the ladder one could reach a long limb of a scraggy appletree upon which hung early apples nearly ripe. Marian went up theladder very carefully, taking care not to catch her frock upon anail or a projecting twig as she crept along the stout limb tosettle herself in a crotch of the tree. From this spot she could seethe distant sea, pinky purple, and shimmering silver. 

Marian did not gaze at this, however, but turned her face toward themountains. She clasped her hands tightly and repeated firmly: "Be yeremoved into the midst of the sea. Be ye removed into the midst ofthe sea. " Then she waited, but the mountain did not budge an inch, though the child kept her eyes fixed upon it. Twice, three times, she repeated the words, but the mountain remained immovable. "I knewit; I just knew it, " exclaimed the child when she had made her finaleffort, "and now I want to know how large a mustard seed is. To-morrow I'll go ask Mrs. Hunt. "

It was to Mrs. Hunt that she took all such questions, for shehesitated to talk of very personal things to her grandparents. Theywould ask her such sharp questions, and sometimes would smile in asuperior way when they did not say: "Oh, that is not a subject todiscuss with children; run along and play with Tippy. " She did notalways want to be playing with Tippy when such mighty problems wereuppermost. She had many times tested her faith with the mountain, but had always come away humiliated by the thought that her faithmust be too weak. 

Though she brought her test to bear upon the mountain there wasanother thing she did not dare to experiment with, though she alwaysintended to do so when the mountain should answer her command to beremoved. To be sure it would not make much difference to her if themountain should remove into the sea; it probably looked quite aswell where it was, and Marian supposed that no one would care tohave its place changed, but it made a great and mighty difference toher about this other thing. She had never breathed her ardent wishto any one, not even to Mrs. Hunt, and now that this fresh test offaith had failed she would have to gather up a new stock before shecould try again. 

The purple and pink and gold were fading; the sea looked gray; thedistant mountain was hidden under a cloud when Marian climbed downfrom her perch to answer her grandmother's call: "Marian, Marian, where are you? Come in out of the night air; the dew is falling. "Dippy was chasing moths in the garden as Marian took her way towardthe house. She watched him leaping up as each soft-winged creatureflitted by. When he failed to catch his prize he opened his mouth ina mute meow, and looked at Marian as if asking her to help him. 

"You mustn't catch moths, Dippy, " said Marian. "They might disagreewith you. I should think anyhow, that they would be very dry eating, and besides it is wicked to destroy innocent little creatures. Come, you must go in with me. " But this was the time of day when Dippyliked specially to prance and jump and skurry after dusky, shadowy, flitting things, so before Marian could pounce upon him, he was offand away like a streak and could not be found. Then Marian went inobediently at her grandmother's second call to spend the rest of herevening sitting soberly by, while her grandmother knitted and hergrandfather read his evening paper. 

She had tidied up her room, fed the cat and kitten, and darned herstockings the next morning before she was free to go to Mrs. Hunt's. Grandpa would go for the mail, and there were no errands to do, except to return a plate to Mrs. Parker. It had come with somespicy cakes for grandma, and must be taken back promptly. 

The garden did not attract her just then, for it looked muchless mysterious by daylight. There was a fine array of poppies, larkspurs, phlox and snapdragons; the oleander in its green tub wasall a-bloom, and there were six newly opened buds on the rose-bush. Dippy was fast asleep in the sunshine, as if he, too, realized thatthe garden was not so alluring by morning light. 

It seemed no time to exercise faith upon the mountain, for a hazecovered it, and one could not feel even the near presence of a thingone could not see, so why attempt to address a command to it to beremoved; to all intents and purposes it was removed when it was outof sight. 

Marian thought all this over as she trotted down the village streetto Mrs. Hunt's. Hers was one of a line of long low white houses setback among trees. A border gay with nasturtiums, sweet peas, andmarigolds flourished each side the front door, but Marian did notpause there; she went around to the kitchen where she knew Mrs. Huntwould be this time of day. There was a strong odor of spices, vinegar and such like filling the air. "Mrs. Hunt is makingpickles, " said Marian to herself; "that is why she was gatheringcucumbers the last time I was here. I would rather it were cookiesor doughnuts, but I suppose people can't make those every day. "

True enough, Mrs. Hunt was briskly mixing spices, but she turnedwith a smile to her little visitor. "Well, chickadee, " she said, "how goes it to-day?"

"Oh, very well, " returned Marian vaguely. "Mrs. Hunt, how big is amustard seed?"

For answer Mrs. Hunt put her fingers down into a small wooden box, withdrew them, opened Marian's rosy palm, and laid a pinch of seedsupon it. "There you are, " she said. "I wish I could get at all thethings I want to see as easy as that. "

Marian gazed curiously at the little yellow seeds. "They're not verybig, are they?" she said. 

"Not very. "

"Then you wouldn't have to have much faith, " Marian went on, following out her thought. 

Mrs. Hunt laughed. "Is that the text that's bothering you? What areyou, or who are you, trying to have faith in? Tippy? Has she fooledyou again by hiding another batch of kittens?"

"No, Mrs. Hunt, " Marian shook her head "it isn't Tippy; she is allright, and so is Dippy, but you know if you want a thing very muchand don't see anyway of getting it ever, till you are grown up andwon't care about it, why it makes you feel as if--as if"--shelowered her voice to a whisper and looked intently at her listener, "as if either you were very wicked or as if--that about the mustardseed--as if"--she hesitated, then blurted out hurriedly, "as if itweren't true. "

"Why, Marian Otway, of course it must be true, " declared Mrs. Hunt. 

"Then I'm very wicked, " returned Marian with conviction. 

"Why, you poor innocent, of course you are not. We are all more orless imperfect creatures, I suppose, but--well, all is, if I wereyour grandma, I wouldn't let you bother your head about such things. It is hard enough for the preachers to settle some things for us andthemselves, so how do you suppose a baby like you is going to getthe gist of it?"

"If you were my grandma what would you do?" asked Marian coming tothe point. 

"I'd give you interesting story-books to read, and see that you hadhealthy-minded playfellows. You ought to be going to school; you areenough bigger than my Annie was when she first went. " This was apoint upon which Mrs. Hunt felt very keenly. She thought Mr. AndMrs. Otway had not the proper ideas about bringing up children andthat Marian was too much with older persons. "I would send her offto school quick as a wink, " she had more than once said to Mrs. Otway, but her remark had been received with only a smile, and onecould not follow out an argument when another would not argue, sokind Mrs. Hunt had been able only to air her opinions to Mrs. Perkins and her other neighbors, and once in a while to let Marianknow how she felt about her. 

She had lost a little girl about Marian's age and made a point ofbeing especially good to the old-fashioned child who lived in thebrick house at the end of the street. The other houses were allwhite or gray or brown, built plainly, and were either shingled orclap-boarded affairs so that the brick house was a thing apart andits occupants were usually considered the aristocracy of the place. The older men called Grandpa Otway, "Professor, " and the youngerones said, "Good-morning, doctor, " when they met him. 

At the college where he had taught for many years he was stillremembered as an absent-minded, gentle but decided person, strong inhis opinions, proud and reticent, good as gold, but finding it hardto forgive the only son who left home and married against the wishesof his parents. When baby Marian's mother died her father hadwritten home, asking that his motherless baby might be taken in andreared in the American land which he still loved. So one day Marianarrived in charge of a plain German couple, but her father had notseen her since and he still lived in far off Berlin. Once a year hewrote to his little daughter and she answered the letter through hergrandmother. The letter always came the first of the year and thelatest one had given an account of a German Christmas. It hadenclosed some money for Marian to provide trinkets for her owntree the next year. 

Yet, alas, --and here came the tragedy--Marian had never beenallowed to have a tree; her grandparents did not approve of suchthings; the money must go to the missions in foreign lands, and whenthe next missionary box was sent Marian's Christmas money was sentwith it in one form or another. Even if Grandpa and Grandma Otwayhad known what rebellious tears Marian shed and how she told Tippythat she hated the heathen, and that she didn't see why theycouldn't go barefoot in a country as hot as China, and why theycouldn't eat rice as well as she, and why missionaries had to haveall sorts of things she didn't have, even if her grandparents hadknown that, they would have said that it showed a wrong spirit andthat a little girl bid fair to become a hardened sinner, so sheought to be made to sacrifice her own pleasures to so good a cause. 

That would have been the least of it, for there would also have beena long lecture from both grandfather and grandmother with a longerprayer following and there would probably have been an order thatMarian must go without butter for a week that she might be taught topractice self-denial. So Marian had thought it wise to say nothingbut to accept with as good a grace as possible the bitter necessityof giving up her Christmas tree. 

With the mustard seeds folded in her hand she stood watching Mrs. Hunt tie up her spices, but the seeds were forgotten when Mrs. Huntsaid: "What will you do with a teacher living in your house and younot going to school, I'd like to know. Mr. Hunt says he ratherguesses you'll not stay at home, but Mrs. Perkins says like as notyour grandma will have her teach you out of hours and pay her boardthat way. As long as she is the daughter of a friend your grandpawould want to make it easy for her and they'll fix it up some way. "

Marian could scarcely believe her ears. "Coming to our house? Who isshe? What is her name, Mrs. Hunt? When is she coming? Who told you?"

"Dear bless me, what a lot of questions. Take care and don't getyour sleeve in that vinegar; it'll take all the color out. I'll wipeit up and then you can lean on the table all you want to. There. Well, you see it was Mrs. Leach told me. It seems this Miss Robbinsis the daughter of one of the professors at the college where yourgrandpa was for so many years. He was one of the younger men, Mr. Robbins was, being a student under your grandpa when he first knewhim. Now he is one of the professors with a big family and none toowell off, so his girl is coming to teach our school and Mr. Robbinsasked your grandpa if he wouldn't let her board at his house. She'sthe eldest, but she hasn't been away from home much because she'shad to look after her younger brothers and sisters since her motherdied. Professor Robbins feels sort of anxious about her; he isafraid of the wicked wiles of a big city like Greenville. "

"Why, Mrs. Hunt, it isn't a big city, is it?" said Marianinnocently. 

"Ain't it?" laughed Mrs. Hunt. "At all events he didn't want hercast loose on it, and so he wrote to your grandpa, appealingly, Ishould say, for it's fixed up that she is to come to the brick housewhen the fall term begins and that's not far off. "

"Oh!" Marian slipped down from the wooden chair upon which she hadseated herself, "I'd better go home and ask about it, " she remarked. "I'd much rather have some one beside grandpa teach me; he usessuch terribly long words and talks so long about things I don'tunderstand. Sometimes I can't make out whether I'm very stupid orwhether the lessons are extra hard. "

"I guess you're no more stupid than the usual run of children, " saidMrs. Hunt stirring her pickles, "and I guess you will learn as muchabout Miss Robbins and her affairs from me as you will at home. Butthere, go 'long if you want to. Come in to-morrow; I'll be bakingcookies, " she called after the child. 

Marian answered with a nod as she looked back. Between the door andthe steps she halted once to open her hand and look for the mustardseeds, but in her interest in Mrs. Hunt's news she had let them fallto the floor and but one clung to her moist fingers. She tasted itand found it strong and biting. "It can't be the bigness, " shemurmured; "it must mean the hotness and strongness. " This view ofthe matter gave her a better understanding, according to her ownideas, and she was glad she had tasted the small seed. After all, there were pleasant things opening up. What if she could not movemountains, there would be fresh cookies to-morrow and out ofsomewhere a beautiful young lady was advancing toward her, notexactly a playfellow, maybe, but some one much younger thanGrandpa and Grandma Otway. 

_CHAPTER II_

_The School-Teacher_

The brick house had not the cheerful air of Mrs. Hunt'swhite-boarded, green-shuttered abode. It was set back a fewfeet from the side-walk, but a brick wall on each side shut outany glimpse of the flower garden, and the iron railing leadingup from the flight of steps gave the place an air unlike therest of the village houses. Upon the top step Dorothy Robbinsstood a few moments before she rang the bell. She cast an upwardglance at the windows first; the shutters were all bowed andsilence reigned everywhere. She wondered what was behind thebrick wall, and if the inmates of the house would look asforbidding and inhospitable as the house itself. She knewthe Otways had a little granddaughter and half looked to seethe child hanging on the gate or skipping down the path as sheapproached the house. The door-bell clanged solemnly and presentlya sedate, middle-aged woman came to the door. 

"Is Mrs. Otway at home?" asked Miss Dorothy. 

"No, ma'am, she ain't, " was the reply given most ungraciously. "She's to a missionary society or a temperance meeting or something, and he's gone with her. "

"Is no one at home?"

"I'm here, and Marian's somewhere about, I guess. Was youcalculatin' to show goods or solicit anythin'? We hain't nocall for dress-makers' charts, and we don't want to subscribeto no cook-books, I'm cook-book enough myself. "

Dorothy smiled. "Oh, no. I don't make my living that way, " sheanswered cheerfully. "Perhaps I'd better see the little girl, Miss----" she added after a few moments' thought. 

"Hepzibah Toothacre is my name, " remarked the gaunt woman as sheturned away leaving the young lady standing on the step. 

Dorothy made a wry face. "Toothacre or some kind of acher I shouldthink, " she said to herself. "She looked sour enough to be severalkinds of ache rolled in one. I hope the rest of the family are notlike that. "

She did not have to wait long before a little girl came along thedim entry toward her. She was brown-haired, brown-eyed, dark-skinnedand rather pale. She wore a plain blue gingham frock, and her hairwas tied in two pig-tails with a narrow black ribbon. She pausedtimidly at sight of a stranger, but at Miss Dorothy's smile she cameforward eagerly. "Oh, are you--are you----" she began. 

"The new teacher?" interrupted Miss Dorothy. "Yes, dear, I am. MayI come in? The ogress that guards your castle looked as if she mightmake a meal of me and I was afraid to come any further. "

Marian looked puzzled for a moment, then her face broke into asmile. "Oh, you mean Heppy. She is rather cross sometimes. Shewas not very polite not to ask you in, but she is in a bad humorto-day; there were two peddlers here this morning and she can'tbear peddlers. "

"She thought I was one, and that was why she was so grouchy, I see. "

"I will go and ask her to show you to your room, " returned Marian;"it is all ready. "

"Can't you show me?" asked Miss Dorothy with whimsical anxiety inher tones. 

Marian laughed; she knew that Miss Dorothy was only pretending to beafraid of Heppy, and the pretense made her seem more like a littlegirl. "Of course I can show you up, " she made answer. "Grandmadidn't expect you till the late train and she had to go to hermissionary society; she's president of the board, you see. "

"Oh, yes, I quite understand. I didn't suppose, myself, that Icould get here till the late train, but I was able to make betterconnections than I expected and here I am. My trunk will be alongafter awhile. You are Maid Marian, I know, but I do not see thegreenwood and where are Robin Hood and his merry men?" Then seeingthat Marian hadn't a notion of what she meant, she said, "You don'tknow them, do you? I'll have to tell you some time, you and the restof my scholars, for of course you are coming to my school. "

"Oh, am I?" Marian's face was radiant. 

"Why, yes, I imagine so. Don't you go to school?"

"I haven't been yet. Grandpa has always taught me at home, you know. "

"Oh, that's it. " Miss Dorothy was taking off her hat, standingbefore the mirror to puff out her soft ripples of hair. "What alovely big room this is, " she remarked. "I never had such a bigroom all to myself. We are such a large family that we alwayshave to double up, I don't mean like a jack-knife, " she addedwith a little laugh. "I wonder if I shall have to hunt formyself in that big bed; if I do you will have to come andfind me, for I might get hopelessly lost if you didn't. "

Marian laughed. This merry talk was very delightful; even Mrs. Huntwas never quite so fascinatingly entertaining. She stood gazing atMiss Dorothy with admiring eyes as she put a few touches to herdress. Surely it would mean great things to have a young lady inthe house. 

Miss Dorothy gave a final survey of the room as she turned from themirror. "I like it, " she said nodding to Marian, "and when I getdown those solemn-looking pictures, hang up my own favorites, put acheerful cover on that table and a couple of bright sofa pillows onthat lounge, and have some plants in that south window, it will bevery cozy. "

"Oh, will you dare?" began Marian and then stopped short. There wereprobably no lengths to which a teacher might not be allowed to go, even by so particular a person as Grandma Otway. 

"Why, what is there so very daring about that?" asked Miss Dorothy. "It isn't like walking a tight-rope, or shooting Niagara Falls in acanoe. " There was a saucy look in her eyes as she spoke, and adimple came and went as she strove to keep her face grave. 

"It isn't like that, of course, " said Marian feebly. "It will beyour own room, and you are a grown-up lady who can do as you please. I suppose it is only children who don't dare to do things likemoving pictures and putting flower-pots on the window-sills whenthey are freshly painted. "

Miss Dorothy's merry laugh rang out. "Oh, you dear, transparentbaby. You've spoken volumes in that speech. Now I'm ready to godown. What shall we do? My trunk will not be here till after thenext train is in, they informed me at the station. I'd like tosee the schoolhouse, but perhaps we'd best wait till morning, then it can be shown me officially. Could we dare to walk inthe garden if I promise not to race over the borders andrecklessly pull the flowers? Does one dare to leave thehouse to do that?" There was a little mocking look inher eyes as she spoke. 

"Oh, yes, of course we can go anywhere we like in the garden, "returned Marian. "Do come, and I will show you my apple tree. If youare not afraid to climb you can see the ocean from my seat in thecrotch, --and the mountain, too, " she added more soberly. 

"Don't suggest mountains yet, " said Miss Dorothy, becoming sobertoo. "But there, I won't think about mountains; I've always managedthem and I always intend to. "

Marian gazed at her with new intentness and drew nearer. "Can youmanage mountains?" she asked wonderingly. 

"Why, yes; if you don't make them out of mole-hills it is easyenough. "

Marian pondered over this answer all the way down-stairs, but couldnot make head or tail of it. She would ask further when she knewMiss Dorothy better. She felt quite assured that she would not belong in feeling as much at home with her as with Mrs. Hunt. 

As they passed the kitchen door near which the grim Hepzibah stood, Miss Dorothy drew her skirts aside and fled down the garden walk, giving a pretended scared look over her shoulder as she caughtMarian's hand. "Don't let her get me, will you?" she said. Marianfell in with her mood and promised that she should not be deliveredto the ogress, though in her heart of hearts she felt that a personwho would dare to take liberties with Grandma Otway's best roomsurely could not be a very scary individual, and by the time theyhad reached the apple tree, she had decided that Miss Dorothy wouldprobably have no fear of climbing to the very top, if she cared to. 

"The Garden of Hesperides and the Golden Apples!" exclaimed MissDorothy, settling down into the crotch and giving Marian a hand tohelp her to a seat by her side. "Isn't this too lovely foranything? It will be the finest place in the world to come and readfairy-tales. Do you know many? I have brought a lot with me, andwe'll have a lovely time here before it gets too cold to stay out. "

"I don't know many fairy-tales, " Marian answered doubtfully. "Grandma doesn't exactly approve of them; at least she never tellsme any. She says that Bible stories are entertaining enough for anyone, and she lets me read those 'simplified for the understanding ofa child. '" She spoke with perfect gravity, though Miss Dorothyturned her head to hide the smile she could not prevent. 

"I suppose, then, " said Miss Dorothy, "that you have a book ofthose. "

"Yes; it belonged to grandpa when he was small, and it is called'Tales from the Bible, simplified for the understanding of a child';I read it generally on Sundays. Mrs. Hunt knows about Cinderella andthe Glass Slipper and about the Pig that huffed and puffed till heblew the house down. "

"Oh, I don't know that last one, " said Miss Dorothy; "you will haveto tell me, and I'll tell you about the Golden Apples. Don't theapples smell good? Do we dare have any of them when they are ripe?"

"Oh, yes, we can have two a day; one in the morning and one at noon;grandma says they are lead at night. "

"Goodness me! I believe I have heard that saying before, " said MissDorothy, mentally determining to carry apples to her room to eatwhen she felt inclined. Mrs. Otway should not decide such mattersfor her. She sat with her chin in her hand looking off at the ocean, blue in the distance. Marian, watching her, decided that althoughthe new teacher did not exactly fill her expectations in somerespects, in others she far exceeded them. She had very blue eyesthat could be merry or soft as her mood was, her hair was wavy andof a light brown color; she was fair of skin, had rather a largemouth and not a specially beautiful nose, but she was good to lookupon and the more one looked the more charming one thought her. Shewas dressed very simply in a gray traveling gown with no jewelry buta silver pin fastening her collar. Her face in repose was seriousand Marian could see that she was not one to be trifled with, inspite of her fun-loving spirit. 

"There are many things I want to know, " said Miss Dorothy after awhile, "but I will wait till I absolutely have to ask questions. "

"If you want to know one thing, " returned Marian, "I can tell you. If you would like me to tell you when grandpa and grandma will behere I can say in about five minutes. " She was looking off down thestreet and Miss Dorothy saw two figures approaching. 

"Then we'd better go in, " she said. "I should not like them to meetme in an apple tree; they might think me very undignified. "

Marian was rather inclined to think they might, but she glossed overthe fact by saying, "Well, you see it has been such a long, longtime since they were young they must forget how it feels. "

Miss Dorothy smiled and began to climb down the ladder, Marianfollowing. In a few minutes they were walking soberly up the pathand reached the front door just as Mr. And Mrs. Otway were there. 

"Miss Robbins has come, " announced Marian with a little nod of herhead in the direction of the young lady in the background. 

"Ah-h, " responded her grandfather, "then I was right, my dear, " heturned to his wife, "I said it was probable that she would get thefirst train. We should have told Hepzibah or else you should haveremained at home. "

"I never remain at home from the quarterly meeting upon anypretext, " returned Mrs. Otway firmly; "it was a most important one. "

But Mr. Otway had hastened forward and was holding out his hand inwelcome to Miss Dorothy. "I am glad to receive my old friend'sdaughter, " he said with a stately bow. "This is Miss--ah, yes, Miss Dorothy. I may have met you when you were less of a younglady, but I cannot separate you, as a memory, from your sisters. "

"I think I remember Professor Otway, " returned Dorothy smiling upinto the near-sighted eyes which were peering down at her. Mr. Otwaywas tall, spare, a little stoop-shouldered. His hair was quite grayand grew sparsely around his temples; his face was clean shaven. Mrs. Otway was below medium height, plump and keen-eyed. She wore anold-fashioned gown and a plain bonnet. Winter or summer she neverwent out without a small cape over her shoulders. Upon this occasionit was of black silk trimmed with a fold of the same. She lookedapprovingly at Dorothy's neat frock, but a little disapprovinglyat the arrangement of her hair. 

"I am sorry not to have been here to welcome you, " she said, "butthere are certain matters of business which cannot be set aside foruncertainties. I hope Hepzibah or Marian showed you to your room. "

"Marian did, and has been a very kind hostess, " returned MissDorothy. "I am very glad you did not give up an important matterfor anything so indefinite as my arrival. You must never let mypresence allow of any change in your arrangements, Mrs. Otway. Iam exceedingly grateful to you for taking me in, and I should bevery uncomfortable if I were to interfere with your usual routine. "

Mrs. Otway nodded approval. "We shall consider you one of thefamily, my dear Miss Robbins, " she told her. "Marian, take my thingsup-stairs. " She gave her bonnet and cape to her granddaughter andled the way to the semi-darkened parlor where she establishedherself in a haircloth rocking-chair while Miss Dorothy seatedherself upon the sofa. 

Marian laid the bonnet and cape carefully upon her grandmother'ssmooth bed and went down to tell Hepzibah that it was the teacher, who had arrived. She had not wanted to leave Miss Dorothy, in orderto give the old servant this piece of information, but now that herchance had come she went straight to the kitchen. 

Hepzibah was stalking about preparing supper. She looked up sharplyas Marian entered. "Well, " she said, "what's wanting?"

"It's Miss Robbins, the teacher, Heppy, " Marian told her. "You sawus go by down the garden, didn't you?"

"Why didn't she say so?" returned Heppy in an aggrieved voice. "How's I to know she wasn't a book-agent or a body selling home-madelaces and embroidered shirt waists. She was carrying a bag and itmight have been full of wares for all I knew. "

"But she doesn't look like a peddler. "

"Looks belie folks sometimes. Some of 'em is dressed as good as thebest, in hats with feathers and kid gloves. She might have been thator anything, for all I could tell. I'll do just the same next time. She'd oughter have told her business right out, instead of hemmingand hawing and asking was Mrs. Otway to home. That's the way theyall do; get the name next door and come as brazen as you pleaseasking for Mrs. This and that. I'd like to know who's to tell thesheep from the goats. "

"I would know in a minute that Miss Dorothy wasn't a goat, " saidMarian. 

"Oh, you know a heap, don't you, " replied Heppy scornfully. "If youknew so much why didn't you tell me who it was first off?"

"I didn't know exactly who it was but I could easily guess, for Iknew the teacher was coming some time soon. "

"I don't see why your grandma didn't say I was to look out for her, "Heppy went on with a new grievance. 

"Maybe she thought you would know, because you helped get her roomready, and knew she was expected, " Marian made excuse. 

"As if I could remember anything on a Saturday, when I'd beenpestered to death, answering the door a dozen times, while I wascleaning my kitchen. She might have chose some other day to come. "

"She has to begin school on Monday, and besides that would be justas bad, for it would be wash-day and you are cross always then, Heppy, you know you are. "

Heppy turned on her. "You just go out of here, " she said. "I don'twant you 'round underfoot, pestering me at meal-time nohow. I guessI can get a meal for four just as easy as for three and I don't needyour help neither. "

At this Marian was fain to depart, seeing that Heppy was in one ofher worst moods, when everything was a grievance. It was a pleasantcontrast when the little girl was met by Miss Dorothy's smile as shereturned to the parlor, so she settled herself by the side of thisnew friend, folded her hands and let her feet dangle over the edgeof the sofa. It was rather a slippery seat and in time it might bethat she would have to wriggle back to a firmer place, but itsnearness to Miss Dorothy was its attraction and she felt wellsatisfied and entirely secure when the teacher's arm encircledher and drew her closer. "I am to have one new pupil anyhow, "said Miss Dorothy, smiling down. "Won't it be nice for us tobe going to school together every day, Marian?"

"Oh, am I going?" Marian looked from one grandparent to another. 

Mrs. Otway nodded sedately. "We have concluded that it is best, " shesaid. "Your grandfather has many affairs to attend to, and it is atax upon his time to teach you, therefore, since you will not needto go to school unattended, we think it best. We shall see how itworks, at all events, and if it seems wise to withdraw you later, we can do so. "

Marian gave a long sigh of satisfaction, but said nothing. She wasconstantly told that little children should be seen and not heard, and moreover she thought it might hurt her grandfather's feelings ifshe showed too much pleasure at the change. Yet when she gave thenew teacher a glad smile, Miss Dorothy realized that the prospect ofschool was a pleasant one to at least one of her pupils. 

_CHAPTER III_

_A New Road_

Instead of sitting in a straight-backed chair in her grandfather'sstudy, conning over dry lessons while Mr. Otway wrote or read, itwas quite a different experience for Marian to go to school to MissDorothy in a cheerful little schoolhouse where twenty other girlswere seated each before her particular desk. Lessons with GrandpaOtway had been very stupid, for he required literal, word-for-word, gotten-by-heart pages, had no mercy upon faulty spelling, andfrowned down mistakes in arithmetic examples. He did not make muchof a point of writing, for he wrote a queer, scratchy hand himself, and so Marian could scarcely form her letters legibly, a fact ofwhich she was made ashamed when she saw how well Ruth Deering wrote, and discovered that Marjorie Stone sent a letter every week to herbrother at college. 

However, the rest of it was such an improvement upon other years, that every morning Marian started out very happily, book bag on arm, and Miss Dorothy by her side. The first day was the most eventful, of course, and the child was in a quiver of excitement. Her teacherwas perhaps not less nervous, though she did not show it except bythe two red spots upon her cheeks. It was her first day as teacheras well as Marian's, as one of a class in school. But all passed offwell, the twenty little girls with shining faces and fresh frockswere expectant and the new teacher quite came up to their hopes. Marian already knew Ruth Deering and Marjorie Stone, for they werein her Sunday-school class, and some of the others she had seen atchurch. Alice Evans sat with her parents just in front of theOtways' pew, so her flaxen pig-tails were a familiar sight, whileMinnie Keating's big brown bow of ribbon appeared further along onSunday mornings. 

Marian felt that she did quite as well as the other girls in mostthings, and was beginning to congratulate herself upon knowing asmuch as any one of her age, when she was called to the blackboard towrite out a sentence. At her feeble effort which resulted in acrooked scrawl, there was a subdued titter from the others. For onemoment the new scholar stood, her cheeks flaming, then with defiantface she turned to Miss Dorothy. "I can spell it every word, " shesaid, "if I can't write it. "

Miss Dorothy smiled encouragingly, for she understood the situation. "That is more than many little girls of your age can do, " she said. "Suppose you spell it for us, then. "

With clenched hands Marian faced her schoolmates. "Separatesyllables, and enunciate with distinct emphasis, " she finishedtriumphantly, without looking at the book. 

"That is a very good test, " said Miss Dorothy; "you may take yourseat. Now, Alice, I will give out the next sentence, and you mayspell it without the board, " and the day was saved for Marian. 

After this she triumphantly gave the boundaries of severalcountries, told without hesitation the dates of three importantevents in history, carried to a correct finish a difficult examplein long division, and when the hour came for school to close she hadwon her place. Yet the matter of writing was uppermost in her mindas she walked home, and she said shamefacedly to Miss Dorothy, "Isn't it dreadful for a girl of my age not to know how to write?"

"It isn't as if it were a thing that couldn't be learned, " MissDorothy told her for her encouragement, "but you must hurry up andconquer it. You might practice at home between times, and you willbe surprised to find how you improve. Have you never written lettersto your father?"

Marian shook her head. "Not really myself. Grandma always writesthem for me, " then she added, "so of course she says just what shepleases; I'd like to say what I please, I think. "

"I am sure your father would like it better if you did. I know whenmy father was away from home the letter that most pleased him waswritten by my little sister Patty when she was younger than you. "

"How old is she now?" asked Marian. 

"Just about your age. She can write very well, but you can distanceher in spelling and arithmetic. "

"I'll catch up with her in writing, " decided Marian, "and maybe shewill catch up with me in the other things. "

"I'll tell her what you say, " said Miss Dorothy; "that will be anincentive to you both. I should like you to know our Patty. She isour baby, and is a darling. "

"I should like to know her, " returned Marian warmly. 

"I'll tell her to write to you, " promised Miss Dorothy. 

"Oh, good! I never have letters from any one but papa, and he writesonly once a year. I wish he would write oftener, for his letters areso nice, and I do love him, though I haven't seen him since I was ababy. "

"Perhaps if he knew you really cared so much to hear, he wouldwrite. Why don't you send him a letter and tell him?"

"Oh, but just see what a fist I make at writing. I will tell him assoon as I can write better, although, " she added with a sigh, "thatseems a long time to wait. "

Miss Dorothy was thoughtfully silent for a few minutes. "I will tellyou what, " she said presently. "I have a small typewriting machinewhich I will teach you how to use. It is very simple, and you spellso nicely that it will be no time before you could manage aperfectly legible letter to your father. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, I do love you, " cried Marian. "That is such adelightful idea. What an angelic sister Patty has. "

Miss Dorothy laughed. "What a funny little girl you are. I am glad, however, that you didn't say: How awfully nice! I am afraid that iswhat Patty would have said, but she hasn't had the advantage ofassociating with only scholarly people like your grandparents, andso she talks as her brothers and sisters do. "

"I should think she would be awfully happy to have so many brothersand sisters, " remarked Marian. 

"Oh, dear, see what example does, " exclaimed Miss Dorothy. "You saidawfully happy and I never heard you say awfully anything before. I'll tell you what we'll do; whenever you hear me saying awfullynice or awfully horrid you tell me, and I'll do the same by you. Isit a bargain?"

"Oh, yes, thank you, Miss Dorothy, but I'm afraid I should feelqueer to correct you. "

"I am not perfect, my dear, " said Miss Dorothy gravely, "not anymore than the rest of humanity. I shouldn't expect you to correct meordinarily, but this is a habit I want to get out of, and that I donot want you to get into, so we shall be a mutual help, you see, andyou will be doing me a favor by reminding me. "

"Then I'll try to do it. How shall I tell you when other people arearound? It would sound queer if I said: Oh, Miss Dorothy, you saidawfully. "

"So it would, you little wiseacre. You can touch me on the elbow andthen put your finger on your lip, and I will understand, and I willdo the same when you say it. "

Marian was perfectly satisfied at this. "I am so glad you are here, "she sighed. "I feel lots more faith growing. I shall soon bevery--is it faithful I ought to say?"

"Well, not exactly in the sense you mean, though really it ought tobe that faithful means full of faith; as it is it means trustworthyand devoted to the performance of duties and things. I think the oldmeaning when one wanted to say that a person was full of faith wasfaithful, but the original sense of many words has been lost. "

"When shall I begin with the typewriter?" asked Marian, changing thesubject. 

"We can begin this afternoon. I have unpacked and oiled it, so it isall ready to use. "

"How soon do you think I can send a letter to papa?"

"If you are industrious and painstaking I should say you could do itin a week. "

"Oh, that's not long, and he will get it long before Christmas, won't he?"

"Yes, indeed! I should think in ten days or two weeks at thefurthest. "

"I should like to send him something for Christmas. I never did sendhim anything. Don't you think it would be nice to do it?"

"I think it would be awfully nice. "

Marian gave her teacher's arm a gentle shake and put her finger toher lip. 

Miss Dorothy looked at her a little puzzled, then she understood. "Oh, I said awfully, didn't I? Thank you, dearie, for reminding me. What should you like to send your father?"

"I don't know. I'll have to think. You'll help me to think, won'tyou?"

"Indeed I will, if you want me to. I should think almost anythingyou could send would please him, for, after all, it is the thoughtthat counts, not the thing itself. "

"Oh, but I do think things count, and--Miss Dorothy, you won't tellif I ask him not to send me money. "

"Not money? I think that it's rather a nice thing to have, for thenyou can buy whatever you like. "

"You couldn't if you were I. "

"Why not?"

"Because. You won't say anything about it to the grans?" Marian'svoice dropped to a whisper. "When papa sends me money it always goesto the missions; it is my sacrifice, Grandma says. As long as Idon't have the money really in my hands, it doesn't so much matter, but it would matter if I had to go without butter or perhaps sweetthings, like dessert or cake for a whole month. That is what wouldhappen if I said I would rather have the money myself than let themissionaries have it. Oh, I suppose it is all right, " she addedquickly, "and no doubt I am a hardened sinner, but I would like areal Christmas gift. "

"Did you never have one?" asked Miss Dorothy, with pity and surprisein her voice. 

"Not a really one, except from Mrs. Hunt; she gave me a sweet littlepincushion last year, and a whole bag full of cakes and goodies. Ienjoyed them very much. "

"Did your grandparents give you nothing at all?"

"Oh, yes. I had a new hat, and gloves and handkerchiefs. I waspleased to have them of course, but I would like something realChristmassy and--and--foolish. "

"You blessed child, of course you would, " and Miss Dorothy mentallydetermined that the next Christmas should provide something realChristmassy for her little companion. 

Marian was silent for a while then she asked, "Do you have aChristmas tree at your house?"

"Why, yes, always, and we all hang up our stocking from father downto Patty. Don't you?"

"No, I never did, and I never had a tree. "

"Why, you poor dear child, " exclaimed Miss Dorothy surprised out ofdiscretion. 

"There doesn't any one know how much I want it, " said Marian in partexcuse, "but I do. That is what I meant about moving mountains andfaith. Do you believe if I had a great deal of faith, as sharp andstrong as a mustard seed that the Lord would send me a tree? I nevertold any one before about it, but you understand better than Mrs. Hunt. I thought once or twice I would ask her, but she might laughand I don't want any one to laugh, for it is very solemn. " Shepeered anxiously up into Miss Dorothy's face to see if there were asuspicion of amusement there, but Miss Dorothy looked as grave asany one could wish. 

"I think faith can do a great deal, my dear little girl, " she saidgently. 

"It can move mountains, the Bible says. I heard grandpa and grandmatalking about it, and Mrs. Hunt showed me some mustard seed. Itasted one and it was very strong, so I know now it doesn't meanthe bigness but the strongness. "

Miss Dorothy looked down with a smile. "You little theologian, " sheexclaimed. Then to herself she said: This comes of shutting up achild with staid old people. The dear thing needs a whole lot offrivolity mixed up in her life; Christmas trees and things. Sheshall have them if I can do any of the mixing. "Well, dear, " shesaid aloud, "I think we will hold on to all the faith we can muster, and see what will come of it, but you must realize that just sittingstill and believing isn't all of it. We must work, too, for theBible says faith _and_ works, not faith _or_ works. So now you workhard over your writing, and send letters to your father so he willknow what his little girl likes and longs for, then you will bedoing your part in that direction, and at the same time put yourtrust in his love for you, and no doubt something beautiful willcome of it all. You can come up to my room as soon as you want to, and we will start the little typewriter. "

Marian's satisfaction was too deep for words, but she gave herteacher's arm a little squeeze and laid her cheek against it. 

It was not long before she was tapping at the door of Miss Dorothy'sroom, but before she began the work she was so eager for, sheasked, "Do you think I ought to ask grandma's permission?"

"I don't see why you need to, for there is nothing wrong about it, "Miss Dorothy replied. "But if you feel as if you should, you can rundown and tell your grandmother what you are going to do. You can saythat I am going to teach you to use my little machine, and surelyshe will not object. "

But Mrs. Otway was off upon some charity bent, and Marian returnedfeeling that she had done her duty in making the attempt to tell. Then she and Miss Dorothy had great fun over the little machinewhich seemed so complicated at first, but which gradually grew moreand more familiar, so that at the end of an hour under Miss Dorothy, Marian was able to write out several lines quite creditably. Theseshe took down and proudly showed to her grandfather. 

"First-rate, " he exclaimed. "Keep on, my child, and after a whileyou will be able to copy out my papers for me; a great assistancethat would be. I shouldn't wonder but in time you would make me anexcellent secretary. " Under this praise Marian's qualms ofconscience were eased. If grandpa approved, that was enough. Hernext impulse was to run to Mrs. Hunt's to show off her newaccomplishment, but she decided to wait till she could manage thetypewriter entirely alone, so would the credit be greater. 

She sought out Tippy and Dippy to tell her secret to. They were herconfidants always, and to-day she had almost forgotten them in thenovelty of having so sympathetic a friend as Miss Dorothy. It wouldnever do to forsake old and tried comrades, and so Tippy was rousedfrom her nap, and Dippy was captured in the act of catching agrasshopper, then the two were borne to the end of the garden toa sheltered spot where Marian always had her "thinks. " She tookthe two in her lap. Tippy settled down at once, but Dippy had tohave his head rubbed for some minutes before he began to purrcontentedly. 

"You see, my dears, " began Marian, "I am going to have a great dealto do, almost as much as grandma has with her clubs and societiesand meetings. First there is school. I think I like Alice Evans thebest of the girls, for she has such pretty hair, but I am not quitesure about it. She was not quite as nice to me at recess as Ruthwas, so maybe I shall like Ruth best. I am sure I shall love Patty. I wish she had come here with her sister. It must be lovely, Tippy, to have a sister, though I suppose you don't think as I do, for youhad a sister once and now you don't care anything about her, for youfizzed at her the other day when she came in our garden. I saw youand heard you, too, and I was very much shocked. What was I talkingabout? Oh, yes, about so much to do. I'll have lessons to study athome after this, I suppose. We didn't have any real lessons to-day, just trial things, and I did such awful--I mean really awful writingon the blackboard that the girls all giggled. I just hated that, andI felt like crying or like running away and never going back, but Irealized that it wouldn't do to do either, so that is another thingI must do. 

"I must practice writing at home. I wonder where I shall get paperand things to do it on. I'll have to ask Miss Dorothy about that. She is such a dear, Tippy, and she likes cats; she said so. I neverused to think that any one could be as nice as Mrs. Hunt, but MissDorothy is nicer in some ways, for she understands just how you feelabout everything, and Mrs. Hunt doesn't always. She is as kind ascan be, but she thinks that when you ask questions if she answerswith a cookie or a doughnut you will be satisfied. It does satisfyyour mouth, of course, but it doesn't satisfy the thinking part ofyou. Sometimes I go down there just bursting with things I want toknow, and when I ask her, she says: 'Oh, don't bother your littlehead about such things; there is a plate of cakes in the pantry; gohelp yourself. ' Now, Miss Dorothy isn't that way at all. She justreaches her thinks down to yours and they go along together tillyou come out all clear and straight like coming out of the woodsinto an open sunshiny place where there is a good path. 

"Now, Tippy, we've got to think of something to send papa for apresent. I don't suppose you are interested in such things, but Ithink every one ought to be. Maybe Patty can help me out. She mustbe a very bright child; Miss Dorothy says she is. There! I hearHeppy clattering the milk-pan; it is time to see about yoursupper. " So saying, Marian put down the two cats and started forthe house, her pets following at her heels, knowing the sound ofa milk-pan as well as she. 

_CHAPTER IV_

_Companions_

The first week of school passed very rapidly, and by the time Fridayafternoon came, Marian felt quite at home with her schoolmates. Shehad finally decided that Ruth would be her best friend next toPatty, whom she always held in reserve as filling her needs exactly, when they should meet. Miss Dorothy had written to her little sisterand Marian was daily expecting a letter herself from Patty, a letterwhich should mark the beginning of their friendship. She was rathershy of the girls at first, for she had scarcely known childishcomrades, and her old-fashioned ideas and mature way of speakingoften brought a laugh from the others, but her shyness soon wore offand she quickly acquired a style of speech at which her grandparentssometimes frowned, for it included some bits of slang which hadnever found their way into the brick house before. 

It was Miss Dorothy's doing which made the way easier for the littlegirl, for she argued nobly in behalf of Marian's needing youngcompanions to keep her like a normal child. She even appealed tothe family doctor who promptly sided with her, and maintained thatMarian would be better bodily, if she lived a more rough and tumblelife. So, because her grandparents really did care for her, absorbedas they were in their grown-up affairs, Marian was allowed morefreedom than ever before and was ready to take advantage of it. 

Miss Dorothy had gone up to town to do some shopping this firstSaturday of the term, and Marian bethought herself of its beingbaking day at Mrs. Hunt's, so, as this was always one place shecould always go without asking permission, she simply stopped atthe sitting-room door and announced: "I am going down to Mrs. Hunt's, grandma. "

Mrs. Otway, at work upon a financial report, did not look up fromher columns of figures, but merely nodded in reply and Marian ran ondown the street between the double rows of trees, till she came toMrs. Hunt's. This time it was the odor of baking which greeted heras she advanced toward the kitchen, and Mrs. Hunt was in the act oftaking a pan of nicely browned cookies from the oven as her visitorappeared. 

"Well, well, well, " she exclaimed. "Just in time. Seems to me schoolkeeps some folks amazingly busy. I've not seen you for a week, haveI? But there, I'm glad enough you're turned out at last. Let me seehow you look. School agrees with you; I can see that. Sit down thereon the step and eat a cookie; it's warm inside the kitchen with thefire going. Now tell me all about it. How do you like Miss Robbins?I hear she's liable to be as popular as any teacher we've had. Howdo the grans take to her?" Marian and Mrs. Hunt always spoke of Mr. And Mrs. Otway as the grans. 

"They like her, " returned Marian between bites of cookie. "She isperfectly fine, Mrs. Hunt, and she's got a little sister just myage; her name's Martha, but they call her Patty, and she's going towrite to me, and, oh, Mrs. Hunt, I have a secret to tell you, butyou mustn't breathe it. Cross your heart you won't. "

"Cross your heart, " repeated Mrs. Hunt. "Where did you get that? Inever heard you say that before. "

"All the girls say it. "

"Of course they do, and you're getting to be one of the girls, Isee. Well, I'm glad of it. And what's the mighty secret?"

"You won't tell?"

"Not I. " Mrs. Hunt emphasized her promise by bringing down hercake-cutter firmly on the dough she had spread on the board beforeher. 

"Well, it's this: I'm learning to write on the typewriter, and I'mgoing to write a letter to papa myself. "

"Well, I vow to man! Isn't that a trick worth knowing? Won't he bepleased?"

"Do you think he really will? I didn't know, for you see he haswritten to me only once a year just as he does to grandpa andgrandma, and I have never been sure that he really cared very muchabout me. "

"Listen to the child, " exclaimed Mrs. Hunt, shaking her head. "Who'dhave thought she gave it any thought one way or the other. Don't youbelieve that he doesn't care. I knew Ralph Otway before you wereborn, and I can tell you that when he gets to knowing that you'vethought enough about him to want to write to him he will write toyou often enough. He's got it into his head that you are as well offnot hearing from him oftener, and besides he feels that as a lonewidower he can't take as good care of you as his mother, a woman, can do, and he's just steeled his heart to endure what he thinks isbest for you without thinking of what he would like for himself. Don't you suppose he would a thousand times rather have you with himthan to live off there by himself?"

"No, I didn't think so, " replied Marian, with the idea that somehowshe had said something she ought not. "But, Mrs. Hunt, if he doescare, why doesn't he come over and get me?"

"Just as I told you; because he thinks you are better off here withyour kith and kin. What would you do all day alone, with him off athis business and you by yourself in lodgings or a boarding-house, I'd like to know. He wouldn't want to send you to boarding-school, for then you'd not be so well off as where you are. Oh, no, don'tyou be getting it into your head that your father doesn't care foryou. " Mrs. Hunt made decided plunges at the yellow dough at eachattack leaving behind a scalloped circle. "How I talk, " she said asshe deftly lifted the cookies into a pan, "but my tongue runs awaywith me sometimes. When do you think you'll be smart enough to getthat letter off?"

"Oh, in another week, perhaps. Miss Dorothy thinks I will. "

"Humph! that's quick enough work. Here, don't you want to go downinto the garden and get me a few tomatoes? I thought I'd stew somefor dinner, and I can't leave my baking very well. "

This was something Marian always liked to do, so she took the littleround basket Mrs. Hunt handed her and was soon very busy among thetomato vines. She was watching a big yellow butterfly bury itself inan opening flower when she heard a voice on the other side of thefence, say: "Hello!" and looking up she saw Marjorie Stone and AliceEvans smiling at her. 

"What are you doing?" asked Marjorie. "I didn't know you livedhere. "

"I don't, " said Marian going toward her. "I just came to see Mrs. Hunt and I am getting some tomatoes for her. Most everything elsehas gone. There used to be lovely currants and raspberries overthere, and there were a few blackberries. "

"We know where there are some blackberries still, don't we, Alice?"said Marjorie. 

"Yes, they have ripened late; they're not so very big, but we aregoing to get them. We're going to take our lunch with us and gatherall we can find. "

"If you bring some lunch you can go too, " said Marjorie amiably toMarian. 

"Oh, is it a picnic?"

"Just a little one. Three or four of us were going, but two of thegirls can't go. One has to stay at home and take care of the baby, and the other has gone to town with her mother, but maybe Alice'sbig sister, Stella, will go with us. "

"Is it very far?"

"Not so very. We've often been there. You go get your lunch and putit in a tin bucket, or a basket, so you will have something to carryyour blackberries home in. We'll wait here for you if you hurry. "

Much excited, Marian ran back to the house. This came of havingschoolmates. A picnic this very first Saturday, and theblackberrying thrown in. She set down the little basket on thekitchen table and exclaimed, "Oh, Mrs. Hunt, what do you think?Marjorie Stone and Alice Evans want me to go on a picnic with them. They're going blackberrying and it isn't very far, but I'll have totake my lunch in something to gather the blackberries in, and----"She paused for breath. 

"Just those two going?"

"No, Alice's big sister, Stella, is going. "

"Oh!" Mrs. Hunt nodded her head in a satisfied way. 

"Do you think I would have time to go home?" Marian asked anxiously. "They said they were in a great hurry. "

"What is the use of your going home? I can put you up a little luncheasy as not. Here's these cookies, and I've baked turnovers, too. There's a basket of nice good apples in the pantry; you can have oneof those, and I'll whisk together some sandwiches in the shake of asheep's tail. "

"Oh, that would be perfectly fine. Do you think grandma wouldmind?"

"She oughtn't to. She's done the same thing lots of times herself. "

"Oh!" This fact certainly set things all right, for surely no grownperson could be so absolutely unjust and inconsistent as to blame achild for doing what she had done, not once, but often herself. SoMarian was quite assured, and smilingly watched Mrs. Hunt's kindhands pack a lunch for her. 

"There now, " said the good woman when she had tucked a red napkinover the top of the basket. "Run along and have a good time. I guessall the quarts of blackberries you get won't make many jars of jam, but you'll have just as much fun. If I get the chance I'll run up toyour grandma's or send word that you won't be home to dinner. MaybeI'll see your grandpa as he comes back from the post-office. "

And so, well content, Marian sped forth to join the girls who werewaiting. 

"Are you going?" they asked. "You didn't have to go home, did you?"

"No, Mrs. Hunt put up a lunch for me. She is always so very kind. "

"What have you got?" asked Marjorie eagerly. 

"Three sandwiches, ham ones, and six cookies, two turnovers and anapple. " Marian enumerated the articles with pride. 

"I guess that will be enough, " said Marjorie, condescendingly. "Butyou will have to cut the turnovers in two so they will go around; wehaven't any, you know. "

Marian felt somewhat abashed, and thought that Marjorie was not verypolite. She would not have inquired into the contents of their lunchbaskets for the world. However, she trotted along very contentedlytill they reached Alice's home where Stella was to join them. "Ifound some crackers and cheese, and there are two slices of breadand jam, " announced this older girl as she came out. "I thinkperhaps we can find an apple tree along the way. Did you bringanything, Marjorie?"

"Yes, I have something in here. " Marjorie swung her tin bucketin air. 

"Then we'd better start, " continued Stella. "Who is that with you?Oh, I see, it is Marian Otway. Hello, Marian. "

"How do you do?" said Marian. She had never seen Stella except fromacross the church. She considered her quite a young lady, althoughshe was only fourteen, but she was tall for her age and had anassured air. 

The weather was warm, as it often is in early September, and as theytrudged along the dusty road with the noonday sun beating down uponthem, Marian thought it was anything but fun. Stella, however, keptencouraging them all by telling them it was only a little further, and that when they came to a certain big tree they would sit downand eat their lunch. The tree seemed a long way off, but at lengthit was reached, and the four sat down to rest under its shade. 

"Oh, I do wish I had a drink, " sighed Alice. "I am so thirsty. "

"So am I, " exclaimed the others. 

"Maybe there is a spring near, " said Stella. "There is a house overyonder; perhaps they could let us have some milk. "

"But we haven't any money to pay for it, " said Alice. 

"So we haven't. Well, we'll have to ask for water. It was verystupid to think of only being hungry and not of being thirsty. Wecould have brought some milk as well as not. Let us have your tinbucket, Marjorie, and you and Alice go over and ask for some water. "

"I'm too tired, " complained Marjorie. "If I lend you my bucket Ithink some one else ought to go for the water. "

"Oh, all right, " said Stella with a disdainful smile. "I am sureMarian will be accommodating enough to go with Alice, although youhave walked no further than they did. You will go, won't you, Marian?"

At this direct appeal, Marian could not refuse to go, and arose withalacrity to do Stella's bidding. 

"Empty your bucket into my basket, " said Stella to Marjorie, at thesame time taking off the lid. Marjorie made a dive into the bucketand hastily secured a small package wrapped in paper, consenting toStella's putting the two biscuits and the one banana that remained, into her basket. 

"Don't begin to eat till we come back, " called Alice as she andMarian started off. 

"We won't, " promised her sister. 

The way through the open field was quite as hot, if not as dusty asthe road, and Marian agreed with Alice that it was harder to walkthrough the stubble than the dust, so they were glad enough to reachthe shade of the trees surrounding the little farmhouse. A woman wasscouring tins on the back porch. 

"Could we have some water from your pump?" asked Alice timidly. 

The woman looked up. "Why, yes, and welcome. Where did you dropfrom? I ain't seen any carriage come up the road. "

"We walked from Greenville, " Alice told her. 

"All the way this warm day? Well, I should think you would wantwater. You two didn't come by yourselves, did you?"

"No, my sister and another girl are over there by that big chestnuttree. "

"Lands! then why didn't you go to the spring? 'T ain't but a step, just a ways beyond the tree down in that little hollow. I think thewater's better and colder than the pump water, but you can haveeither you like. Perhaps, though, you'd like a glass of milk. Butthere, you just wait, I know something better than that. Just setdown and cool off while I fetch something for you to take back. Don't take a drink till you set awhile; you're all overheated. "

"What do you suppose she's going to give us?" whispered Alice. 

Marian shook her head. "I'd like water better than anything, but shesaid we'd best wait and I'm going to. "

"Then I will, " said Alice, not to be outdone. 

Presently the woman returned with a pitcher upon which stood coolbeads of moisture, while the clinking sound of ice from withinsuggested deliciousness to the thirsty. Setting down a glass thewoman poured something into it, and then handed the glass to Marianwho politely offered it to Alice. It was quickly accepted and Alicetook a satisfying draught. "It is lemonade, " she said, "and it is, oh, so good. I never tasted anything so good. "

The woman laughed. "You never were more thirsty, maybe. Take yourtime; I'll get another glass. " She stepped inside to supply Marianwith the same treat. "I'll pour the rest into your pail, " she said;"it will go good with your lunch. I made a whole bucketful thismorning thinking maybe my husband's folks might come over forSunday and would be thirsty after their long drive, but it's toolate for 'em now. They always start by sunup and get here beforedinner. They won't be here this week, so you come in for whatthey don't. "

"I'm glad they didn't come, " said Alice setting down her glass. 

The woman laughed. "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, they say. Here's your pail; there's ice enough to keep it coolfor some time. "

"Thank you so very, very much, " said Marian earnestly. "If I getenough blackberries I'll surely bring you some. "

"Bless the child! You needn't, for I have had all I need, and haveput 'em up till I'm sick of the sight of 'em. Keep all you get andI'm sure you're welcome; their time is about over and what you getwon't be worth much. I'm sure you're welcome to your drink. " Shefell to scouring again, and the girls departed bearing the bucketcarefully. 

"Wasn't she kind?" said Marian, in grateful remembrance, "and isn'tit nice to know about the spring?"

"Be careful, " cried Alice in alarm, for just here Marian struck herfoot against a stubbly growth and came near falling, but recoveredher footing. 

"Let me take it, " said Alice, grasping the handle of the bucket. 

"I'm sure I shall be glad if you will, " replied Marian in a relievedtone, "it would be too dreadful to spill any of that deliciousstuff. "

However it was borne safely the rest of the way, and it is needlessto say that it was appreciated by the waiting pair, though Marjoriecomplained that they had been such a long, long time in getting it. 

"I should think it was worth being long to get what we did, " saidAlice severely. 

"Well, anyhow, I think Stella and I ought to have the most, " saidMarjorie, "for you each had a glassful up at the house and wehaven't had any. "

"That was to pay us for going, wasn't it?" and Alice appealed to hersister. 

"Certainly it was, " returned Stella. "If you couldn't have that muchafter your doing the errand I should think it was a pity. "

Then they fell to eating their lunch, although the division of thisdid not turn out as Marjorie intended, for Stella declared it wasonly fair that each should eat what she brought for herself, andmaintained that Marjorie's biscuits and banana must be her share. Marian protested, however, for she felt that she had the lion'sshare, and that she would be uncomfortable if she ate her goodthings without giving so much as a taste to the others. At last itwas decided that each child should contribute to the general supplyone article from her lunch, so a turnover went from Marian's basket, a biscuit from Marjorie's pail, while Alice and Stella contributedsome crackers and cheese and a slice of their bread and jam. No onecaring for Marjorie's biscuit it was left untouched while its ownerfell upon the turnover without a question. Marian chose the crackersand cheese, but insisted upon exchanging some of her cookies for theslice of bread and jam, and later gave Alice half her apple. Thelemonade was quaffed to the last drop, and then Marjorie volunteeredto go to the spring for water. She was gone some time, and as theyall started forth to find the blackberry patch, Alice whispered toMarian, "She had candy in that package; that's why she wanted to goto the spring alone. I saw her take out the candy and eat it. " ThenMarian began to realize that her eyes were being opened to otherthan pleasant things in that outside world of companionship. 

_CHAPTER V_

_Blackberries_

Fortunately the blackberry patch was not much further on, and afterbeing refreshed by their luncheon the children did not mind crossinga field and climbing a fence or two. But what a thicket it was! Suchthorns and briars as Marian had never imagined. There was a story inverse, in one of the books which had belonged to her grandmotherwhen she was a little girl; this story was about Phebe, theBlackberry Girl, and it was one in which Marian delighted, butnever before had she realized to the full extent Phebe's trials;yet, like her, she

 "Scratched her face and tore her hair, But still did not complain, "

and furthermore, like Phebe, when she came to a promising bush, she"picked with all her might, " and really had a creditable amount toshow when Stella said time was up. But alas, she had other thingsto show besides blackberries and scratches, for she had worn a frockof light material, and by the time they were ready to leave thethicket, it was in slits and tears all over. Marian had been soexcited over her novel employment that she had not seen what damagethe briars were doing till Marjorie laughed out: "Oh, what a rag-bagyou are!"

Then Marian looked down at the fringe of muslin which hung from herwaist, at the stained waist itself, from which the trimming fell infestoons, and she was aghast. "Oh, what shall I do?" she breathedhelplessly. 

"You certainly do look a sight, " said Stella, none too comfortingly, "but I wouldn't mind my clothes so much as my hands; just see howthey are all scratched up, and your face isn't much better. You weretoo reckless; you ought not to have plunged in so far that you gotcaught in the worst of the brambles; we didn't any of us plungearound so as to get all mixed up that way. "

"I know, " returned Marian meekly, "I got too excited. "

"I should think you did. "

"I can't go into town this way, " said Marian miserably. "I look likea beggar girl. "

"Anybody could see that you had been picking blackberries, " saidAlice consolingly. 

"But with such a looking frock they will laugh at me, " said Mariantearfully. "Oh, dear, I wish I had worn something that didn't tear. "

"As the rest of us did, " remarked Marjorie complacently. 

"If you had only been careful and had kept on the edge of thethicket, " Stella said, then seeing how distressed Marian reallywas, she went on: "You might take off your frock; I really thinkyou would look better without than with it. "

"Oh!" Marian's cheeks flamed. To appear before the worldhalf-dressed was not to be thought of. 

Stella looked her over critically. The frock she wore was a whitemuslin spotted with pink, too frail a garment for such anexpedition. 

"The waist isn't so terrible, " said Alice examining it. "If we hadsome pins we could fasten the trimming on so it wouldn't show thetears much. "

"Take off your frock, Marian, " decided Stella; "I know what we cando. "

Marian obeyed the assured voice, and presently Stella was tearingthe ragged skirt from the waist, afterward pinning the trimming ofthe waist in place. "Now come here, " she said to Marian. 

"What are you going to do?" the others asked in chorus. 

"I am going to match your petticoat to your waist, " said Stella, addressing Marian. "I will dot it with pink, and it will neverbe observed. You can wear the waist as it is, and have a skirtto match. "

"What are you going to spot it with?" asked Alice curiously. 

"You'll see, " answered her sister, taking a blackberry from herbasket and squeezing a little of the juice on Marian's petticoat. "It isn't exactly the color, but it is near enough, and will neverbe noticed unless you were very near. Now stand quite still, Marian. "

The little girl obeyed and after some time Stella finished her work. "There!" she exclaimed with her head to one side to notice theeffect; "that is not bad at all. Walk off, Marian, and let me see;the spots aren't quite even, but then, as Mrs. Hunt says, 'they willnever be seen on a galloping horse. '"

"I am sure they look very well, " remarked Alice admiringly, "and Ithink you were very clever to think of it, Stella. " And Marian, though still a little shamefaced, felt more at ease. 

"We'd better start back, " said Stella, "for the afternoons are notso very long now, and we have quite a distance to go. "

"If we didn't have blackberries in the two buckets we might get someof that nice cold water from the spring and carry it with us, " saidAlice, "and then if we were thirsty we should have something todrink. "

"It wouldn't be a bad plan, " agreed Stella. "I'll tell you what wecan do: Marjorie can pour her berries in our bucket and we can usehers for the water. Our bucket is so big that it will easily holdours and hers, too. "

"I'd like to see me do it, " spoke up Marjorie. "I'd be sure notto get back as many as I put in. "

Stella curled her lip and lifted her eyebrows scornfully. "Youneedn't be afraid, " she said; "nobody wants one of your oldberries. If you are so particular, it is very easy to separatethem by putting a layer of leaves on top of ours, and yours ontop of that, and then there will be no mixing, and _we_ shallbe sure to get all that belongs to _us_. "

Marjorie agreed to this arrangement, being quite ready to havea supply of water on hand, and so Stella carefully arranged theberries and said she would carry the bucket herself and thatMarjorie and Alice could take turns in carrying the water. So, after everything was adjusted, they set off toward the town, following the dusty road by which they had come. 

The way home did not seem as long as the morning's walk, and nota great deal of time had passed when the spires of the villagechurches appeared in the distance, then they reached the outlyinghouses, and finally the main street. "I'd just kite up the back wayif I were you, " said Stella to Marian; "it is a little bit shorterand you won't be likely to meet so many people. Good-bye. We turnoff here, you know. I hope you won't get a scolding. "

The fear of this, or worse, had been in Marian's heart all along, though she had not mentioned it, and as she stole in the back gateand up the garden walk she hoped she would meet neither hergrandmother nor Heppy. The little bucket of blackberries no longerseemed worth while, and she set it down near the apple tree, ran inthe side door, past her grandfather's study, and on up-stairs, hoping she could get by the sitting-room without being seen. 

But her hopes were in vain, for on the landing appeared hergrandmother. "Is that you, Marian?" she asked. "Where have you beenall day? Come in here and give an account of yourself. "

For a second it was in Marian's thought to say that her nose wasbleeding and to make her escape to her room, change her frock andthen reappear, but she knew it was only putting off the evil day, for the frock's condition would be discovered sooner or later; andthen she was a truthful child, and could not have brought herself tomake a false excuse, even though the outcome might have been betterfor her. So she entered the sitting-room timidly and stood withdrooping head before her grandmother. 

"Where have you been all day?" repeated her grandmother. 

"Oh, didn't Mrs. Hunt tell you?" said Marian in a weak voice. "Shesaid she would. I've been blackberrying. "

"With whom?"

"Some of the girls. "

"Who gave you permission?"

"Why--why--Mrs. Hunt didn't think you would mind, and--and----"

"Blackberrying! I should think so, " exclaimed Mrs. Otway. "What asight you are, all stained and scratched up. Go, wash your face andhands. "

"I did try to get it off at the spring, " returned Marian morecheerfully, hoping she was to be let off rather easily after all. 

But she had not reached the door before her grandmother called herback. "What in the world have you done to your frock?" she asked, examining her costume in surprise. 

"It got torn so and I was so ragged that Stella tore off the skirt, "said Marian in faint explanation, "and--" she went on, "she thoughtshe would try to make my petticoat look like a frock; the spots areblackberry juice; they aren't quite the same color, but we allthought they looked pretty well, better than slits and snags. "

"Then you have ruined not only your frock but your petticoat. Go toyour room and do not come out till I tell you. I will speak to yourgrandfather and we will see what is to be done about this, " said hergrandmother in such a severe tone that Marian felt like the worst ofcriminals and crept to her room in dread distress. 

She had not often been seriously punished, but those few times stoodout very clearly just now. Once she had been compelled to receiveten sharp strokes from a ruler on her outstretched hand. At anothertime she had been shut up in a dark closet, and again she had beentied in a chair for some hours. Any of these was bad enough. Thefirst was soonest over, but was the most humiliating, the second wasterrifying and nerve racking, while the third tediously long andhard to bear. For some time the child sat tremblingly listening forher grandmother's footsteps, but evidently Mrs. Otway did not intendto use undue haste in the matter. After a while the whistle of theevening train announced that those who had gone up to the city fora day's shopping were now returning, and not long after MissDorothy's door opened and Marian could hear the teacher singingsoftly to herself in the next room. 

A new humiliation filled the child's breast. They would tell MissDorothy, and she would think of her little friend as some onedesperately wicked, too wicked, no doubt, to associate with Patty. The tears stood in Marian's eyes at this possibility. It was very, very wrong, of course, to go off without asking leave, and it wasworse to spoil her clothes. She well knew her grandmother's viewsupon this subject, and that of all things she disapproved ofwastefulness. She would say that the clothes might have done good tothe poor; they might have been sent in a missionary box to someneedy child, and it was wicked and selfish to deprive the poor ofsomething that could be of use. 

Oh, yes, Marian knew very well all about the probable lecture instore for her. 

She sat dolefully, with clasped hands and tearful eyes. Butpresently a happier thought came to her. She would tell MissDorothy before her grandmother had a chance to do so, andperhaps Miss Dorothy would understand that she had not meantto do wrong in the first place, and that what came after wascarelessness and not wilful wickedness. She had been orderednot to leave her room, and this she need not do to carry outher plan. So she softly crossed the floor and timidly knockedat the door between Miss Dorothy's room and her own. It wasopened in a moment by her friend, who viewed the forlornlittle figure first with a smile, and then with anxiousinterest. "Why, my dearie, " she exclaimed, "what is thematter? Come into my room and tell me what is wrong. "

"I can't come in, " said Marian in a low tone, "for I mustn't leavemy room till grandma bids me. But you can come in mine, can't you?"she added wistfully. 

"To be sure I can, " and suiting the action to the word, Miss Dorothyentered and sat down by the window, drawing Marian to her side andsaying, "Now tell me all about it. "

Marian poured forth her doleful tale, beginning with the visit toMrs. Hunt and ending with the interview with her grandmother. "Shewouldn't have minded so much except for the frock and petticoat, "she said in conclusion, "but when she found out about those, I couldsee that she was very, very much put out. "

"That was the worst part of it, of course, " said Miss Dorothy. "Ofcourse you told her how sorry you were, and that you were so excitedover getting the biggest berries that you forgot about the briars. You are not the only one who has done that, " she added with a halfsmile. "You never had been blackberrying before, had you?"

"No, Miss Dorothy, and it was very exciting. We really had a lovelytime, only the walk was rather a hot one. Mrs. Hunt was so good; shegave me such a fine lunch. She didn't think grandma would mind, forshe said she often used to go blackberrying when she was a littlegirl. "

"She said that, did she?"

"Yes, Miss Dorothy. I ought to return the basket, but I can't gonow, and I left the berries down under the apple tree. "

"I will go out and bring them in, and I was thinking of going toMrs. Hunt's to make a call. I may as well go this evening, and thenI can return the basket for you. Mr. Hunt is one of our trustees, you know, and I want to see him on a little matter about theschool. "

"Oh, thank you, Miss Dorothy. I know she uses that little basketfor all sorts of things, and she might want it. "

"She shall have it, " said Miss Dorothy. "Well, dear, I hope yourgrandmother will not be very hard on you. The only point I can seethat needs blame, is your wearing that flimsy delicate frock, butas you had never been blackberrying before, you couldn't know theunkindness of briars. "

"There wasn't time to change the frock. "

"Yes, I know. "

"And you won't think I am very, very, wicked, even if they punishme? You will let Patty be friends with me?"

"I understand all about it, my dearie, and it shall not make theslightest difference so far as Patty is concerned. I only wish Icould take your punishment for you. "

At this extreme kindness, Marian flung herself upon the floor atMiss Dorothy's feet and sobbed aloud, "You are so dear! you are sodear!"

Miss Dorothy lifted her to her lap, smoothed back her hair andkissed her flushed cheeks. "Cheer up, dear, " she said. "One neednot be unhappy forever, and I hope this will soon be all over. Now, I must go down and get those berries, or it will be too dark to findthem. Don't cry any more, " and with a smile Miss Dorothy left her. 

It was quite dark when Mrs. Otway at last appeared. "I have talkedit over with your grandfather, " she began without preface, "and wehave decided to punish you by having you wear to school all nextweek the costume you came home in. That is all we shall do. It willteach you to be more careful next time. You may come down to suppernow, " and Marian meekly followed. 

The blackberries were on the table, but Marian could not touch them. The horror of appearing before her schoolmates in the spottedpetticoat filled her with dismay, and although her grandmother feltthat she had been really very lenient, no punishment she could havedevised would have been more humiliating to the little girl. She hadalways been a very dainty child, taking pride in her clothes andbeing glad that she could appear as well as any one she knew. Howcould she face nineteen pairs of wondering eyes upon Monday morning?She could see the amused countenances, hear the suppressed giggles, and imagine the laughing comments whispered with hands hidingmouths. If only she could fall sick and die so she might nevergo to school again. 

No one paid much attention to her as she sat there barely tastingher supper, though she should have been hungry after her long walkand her early lunch. Miss Dorothy once or twice looked her way andnodded reassuringly, while Heppy slipped an extra large piece ofcake on her plate as she was passing it around. 

But after Marian had gone to bed and was lying forlornly awake, after an hour of trying to sleep, Miss Dorothy tiptoed into herroom to bend over her, and seeing the wide eyes, to say: "I havebeen down to Mrs. Hunt's. She is a dear. Go to sleep, honey. Justhave faith that it will all come out right. Don't worry. I am goingto leave my door open so you will not feel that you are all alone. "And with a kiss she left her to feel somehow quite satisfied thatmatters were not so desperate as they seemed, and that Monday'strial might in some way be set aside if she had faith. 

_CHAPTER VI_

_The White Apron_

But Monday morning came and there seemed no prospect of any changein Mrs. Otway's decision. She came herself to see that Marian wasclad in the costume of disgrace, and she was sternly sent out withthe order not to be late. But lest she should shame Miss Dorothy thechild lingered out of sight around the corner till her teachershould have passed by and then she ventured down the street byherself. No one imagined the agony each step cost her, nor how sheavoided any familiar face, crossing and recrossing as she saw anacquaintance in the distance. She was even about to pass Mrs. Hunt'sgate without looking up when some one called her. 

"Marian, Marian, " came Mrs. Hunt's pleasant voice. "Stop a minute, chickadee. "

The first impulse was to run on, but that meant reaching theschoolhouse so much the sooner, so the child hesitated and presentlywas captured by Mrs. Hunt, who bore down upon her as one not to bedenied. 

"I've been watching for you, " she said. "Come right along in. Youhave plenty of time. I have something to say to you. There, nevermind, I know the whole story and I ought to have all the blame, forit was myself that urged you to go. Now your grandma never said youwere not to cover up that ridiculous petticoat, did she? She saidyou were to wear it, I know, and wear it you must, of course. 

"Now, look here, I have an apron that was my little angel Annie's;it's a real pretty one, and it is made so it will cover you all up. I hunted it out this morning early. Put your arms in the sleeves. That's it. Just as I thought; it covers you well up and hides allthe spots, doesn't it? It is a little yellow from lying, but nomatter, it is clean and smooth. I've two or three more the samepattern. I always liked 'em with those little frills on theshoulders. 

"Now, never mind, I know just what you're going to say, but youneedn't. I'm taking all the responsibility of this. Just you goalong to school and feel as happy as you can. I'm going to see yourgrandmother before you get home, and I'll make it all right withher, so you are not to bother yourself one little mite. Now trotalong, and hurry a little, or you might be a wee bit late. You canwear the apron home. You look real nice in it. "

Marian started forth as she was bidden, and then overwhelmed by hersense of relief, she raced back to throw her arms around her goodfriend's neck and say, "Oh, you are so good. I do love you, I do. What should I do without you and Miss Dorothy?"

"Bless her heart, " murmured Mrs. Hunt, giving her a hearty hug. Shestood in the doorway, looking after her till she was out of sight. "I never expected to be so happy in seeing another child wearanything of my Annie's, " she murmured, wiping her eyes as sheentered the house. 

The girls were trooping into the schoolroom from the playgroundwhen Marian reached the spot, and Miss Dorothy was already at herdesk. She looked across and gave Marian a bright smile and anunderstanding nod as she came in, as much as to say: "What did Itell you? Hasn't it all come out right?" As hers was not the onlyapron worn, Marian did not feel at all oddly dressed, and her reliefwas so great that she smiled every time any one looked at her. 

Alice sought her out at recess and asked eagerly: "Was yourgrandmother awfully mad?"

"She didn't like it, " returned Marian evasively. 

"What did she do?"

"She didn't do anything. She sent me to my room. "

"Was that all? Well, I'm glad you came off so easily, " said Alice. "We all know how particular your grandmother is, and we were afraidshe would do something awfully severe. " Then Ruth came up and Marianwent off with her to eat luncheon, so no more was said on thesubject. 

"Mrs. Hunt told me I could wear it home, " said Marian to herself, as she went up street from school. She was alone, for Miss Dorothyhad been detained and had told her not to wait. Marian paused atMrs. Hunt's gate to see if she were there to give her furtherencouragement, for as she was nearing home, the child felt herspirits oozing. What would her grandmother say? She remembered, however, that Mrs. Hunt had charged her not to worry, so, findingall silent and deserted at her friend's house, she plucked upcourage, believing that Mrs. Hunt had not failed her, and that shewas probably at that very moment, closeted with her grandmother. 

She was not disappointed, for as she entered the sitting-room shesaw the two having a lively chat. "Here comes the child, " cried Mrs. Hunt cheerily. "We were just talking over old times, Marian. I wasreminding your grandmother of the time we all went nutting toJones's lot, and she fell into a mud-hole and was plastered to herears. She had to sit in the sun till she dried off, and then I tookher home. My mother rigged her up in some of my clothes, and shewent home with her heart in her mouth. " Marian smiled. Sheunderstood the method Mrs. Hunt was taking to smooth matters overfor herself. 

"Another time, " Mrs. Hunt turned to the other lady, "do youremember, Maria, when we all went to Perryman's Beach and waded inthe water? You'd had a cold or something, and were afraid yourmother would find out you'd gone with us. She did find out, Iremember, because you didn't dry your feet well, and your bed wasfull of sand the next morning. Dear me, dear me, that was a goodwhile ago, wasn't it?"

Mrs. Otway was smiling with a far-away look in her eyes. "Iremember, " she said. 

"You can't put old heads on young shoulders, " went on Mrs. Hunt, "and if our mothers had looked ahead and had seen what sober oldmatrons we would become, I guess they wouldn't have worried as muchas they did over our little pranks. "

Marian edged up to her good friend who put her arm around her. Mrs. Otway turned her eyes upon her granddaughter. "Where did you getthat apron, Marian?" asked Mrs. Otway, a change coming over herface. 

"I lent it to her, " Mrs. Hunt spoke up. "It was my Annie's and Iwasn't going to have Ralph Otway's daughter disgraced by goingthrough the streets in a petticoat; I'm too fond of him and of her, too. I remember once how I made my Annie wear a purple frock shedespised. It was the very week before she died, " Mrs. Hunt's voicedropped, "and you can believe, Maria Otway, that if I had it to doover again, the purple frock would have gone in the fire before sheshould ever have worn it. Poor little darling, the girls made fun ofit because it was so ugly and old-womanish. I could have spared herfeelings and I didn't. I have that purple frock now, " she went on. "I kept it to remind me not to hurt the feelings of one of Hislittle ones when there was no need to. " The tears were running downMrs. Hunt's cheeks by now, but she went on: "You can think as youchoose, but I have said my say. "

"I don't think you would ever hurt any one's feelings if you couldhelp it, Salome, " said Mrs. Otway, melted by the childless woman'stears. Then turning to Marian, "Run along now, Marian, " she said. 

"Shall I take off the apron?"

"No, you needn't. "

And that was all there was of it, but the next morning beforebreakfast said Mrs. Otway outside Marian's door: "You may put onyour blue gingham for school, Marian. "

So did Mrs. Hunt triumph and so did Miss Dorothy laugh in her sleevewhen she saw Marian appear in the clean blue frock. It was afterschool when she and Marian were coming home together that sheconfessed to having had something to do with bringing about thispleasant state of things. "I went down to Mrs. Hunt's and told herall about it, " she said, "and we hatched up the scheme between us, so our works and your faith brought about what we wished for. If youhad been really disobedient, and had intended to do wrong we couldnot have been so eager to help you, but I think your punishmentexceeded the offense and Mrs. Hunt thought the same. Isn't she adear woman, Marian? I feel as if I had known her all my days, and asif I could go right to her in time of trouble. "

"That is the way every one feels, " Marian told her. "I stopped therethis morning to take back the apron, and she said she knew Annie wasglad I had worn it. She talks that way about Annie, so I almost feelas if I knew her and as if she knew me. "

"Perhaps she does, " returned Miss Dorothy quietly. "Now, when areyou going to send the letter to your father? Don't you think it ismost time you were getting it ready? And, by the way, I have notshown you my camera. I left it in the city to be put in order and itcame this morning. Now, I was thinking it would be very nice to sendyour father a little book of snap pictures of his small daughter. Iwill take them, and can develop and print them myself. I have somegray paper that we can cut into sheets to be folded the proper sizeto mount the pictures upon, and it will make a very nice present, don't you think so?"

"Oh, Miss Dorothy!" Marian's face showed her delight. "I think thatis the very loveliest idea that any one ever thought of. I think youhave an angelic mind for thinking of things. "

Miss Dorothy laughed. "I am so glad you are pleased with the idea. My plan is not to take the pictures all at once, but as I happen tocatch you in a characteristic position, or an artistic one. Forinstance, one can be taken at school at your desk, or theblackboard; another in the garden, another in the sitting-room withyour grandparents, another with Tippy and Dippy. "

"More and more lovely, " cried Marian. "Then he will feel almost asif he were here seeing me every day, and will get acquainted with meso much better in that way. I don't feel as if my father and I werevery well acquainted. "

"You poor little pet, of course you don't, but once you beginsending letters back and forth it will be quite different. "

"Yes, I think so, too. Miss Dorothy, do you suppose my father willever come home?"

"I don't know why he shouldn't. "

"I do; it is because grandpa will not ask him to. I think grandmawould like to, but grandpa won't let her; that is what I think, andI believe Mrs. Hunt thinks so, too. "

Miss Dorothy was silent for a moment, then she said: "Perhaps we'dbetter not talk about it, dear, for I don't know the circumstances, and I might not judge correctly, but if it is right that he shouldcome, I think your writing to him will be the surest way of bringingit about the sooner. Shall we write the letter this afternoon?"

"Oh, please. "

"Then come to my room in about an hour and we'll try it. "

Marian was promptly on hand when the hour arrived, and seatedherself in a great twitter before the machine. She began bravelyenough: "My dear father, " and then she paused, but slowly went ontill she had completed half a page of typewritten words. MissDorothy did not offer any suggestions, but sat at the other side ofthe room before her writing-table. At the pause in the clicking ofthe typewriter she looked up. "Well, " she said, "you haven'tfinished yet, have you?"

"I don't know, " responded Marian doubtfully. "Would you mind lookingat what I have done?"

Miss Dorothy came over and read the few stiff lines:

"My dear father: I have learned to write upon the typewriter whichbelongs to my teacher. I hope you are well. I am well and so are therest of the family. We have very pleasant warm weather at present. Ihope you have the same in Berlin. I thought you might be pleased toreceive a letter from me, although it is not the first of the year. I go to school now. There are twenty pupils in our room. They areall little girls. "

"Oh, dear, dear, " exclaimed Miss Dorothy, "is that the way you feelwhen you are writing? Why, you are talking to your father, remember. Just listen to the way I write to mine. " She read from thesheet she held in her hand:

"Dear old daddy: Isn't this gorgeous weather? I wish you and I wereoff for a real old time tramp this afternoon. How we would talk andturn our hearts inside out to each other. I can see you with youreyes twinkling under that disreputable old hat of yours, and I canfeel your polite hand under my independent elbow when there is astream to jump or a wall to climb, the dear hand that I never needfor that sort of help, but which you pretend I do because I am yourgirl still, if I am big enough to face the world by myself. 

"Well, daddy, I have been teaching for more than a week, and haven'thad one cry over it. Isn't that courage for you? Not that my pupilsare all angels, oh, no, this is not heaven, dear dad, but it isreally a very nice place, and there are some dear people here. 

"Did you ever happen to meet a Mr. William Hunt and his wife? He isa very good sort, and she is a perfect darling, one of those rareflowers whose fragrance fills the air even on the highway; not oneof the hothouse kind that has been forced to bloom out of season, for out of season and in season she is always blooming and sheddingforth her sweetness. " Miss Dorothy paused. 

"Oh, but Miss Dorothy, I could never write like that, " exclaimedMarian in an awe-stricken tone. 

"Perhaps not just like that, but you can tell him about yourself andabout the people you know, Mrs. Hunt, for instance, and yourschoolmates, and Tippy and Dippy. "

"And you?"

"Yes, and me, if you like. "

"Oh, very well, I will try again. I didn't know we ought to writeletters like that. "

"That is the very kind we should write. I will finish mine while youdo yours. " So for the next few minutes the tapping of the typewriterdrowned the scratching of Miss Dorothy's pen, which flew steadilyover her paper. 

At last Miss Dorothy looked up. "There, " she exclaimed, "I havefinished mine. How are you getting on?"

"Oh, much better. I have written ever so much. I am almost at thebottom of the page, and I think you will have to put another sheetin for me, if you will be so good. "

"I'll do it with pleasure. May I see what you have written, or wouldyou rather not?"

"Oh, please look. I have told him about school and about you andsome of the girls. There is a great deal more I could say, but Iwill leave out Tippy and Dippy this time. "

Miss Dorothy read down the page and at the end she stooped andkissed the child. "You have paid me a lovely compliment, dear, " shesaid. "I am glad you feel that way, " for Marian had written: "Wehave the loveliest teacher in the world. Her name is Miss DorothyRobbins. She is like Mrs. Hunt, but can understand little girlsbetter, for she is younger and prettier. I love her very much. "

At last the letter was finished, folded and addressed, and MissDorothy promised to mail it herself. It had been a great undertakingfor Marian, who was quite tired out by her afternoon's work, but whowas very happy now that it was done, for the very act drew hernearer her father. 

She went down that same evening to tell Mrs. Hunt about it. Therewas neither baking nor pickling going on this time, but she foundher friend in her sitting-room, a basket of mending by her side. "You are always busy, aren't you, Auntie Hunt?" said Marian. Mrs. Hunt was called Auntie, by many of her friends. 

"Yes, dear, I think most busy people are happy, and I am sure allhappy people are busy about something. Well, how goes it up at thebrick house?"

"Oh, very well, indeed. What do you think I have been doing to-day?"

"Can't guess. There is one thing I know you have not been doing. I'll wager a sixpence you've not been blackberrying, " and Mrs. Huntlaughed. 

The color flew into Marian's face. "No, indeed, I haven't been, andI shall not probably ever go again until I'm a grown lady, and cando as I please. "

"Do you think all grown-ups do as they please?"

"Why, don't they?"

"Not a bit of it. But there, tell me what is the wonderful thing youhave been doing?"

"I have written a letter to papa all by myself, and Miss Dorothy hasmailed it. She put the stamp on and took it to the post-office justnow with her letters. "

"Well, well, well, but won't he be pleased to get it? That's a fineyoung woman, that Miss Dorothy of yours. "

"Isn't she?"

"She is so. She made us a nice visit the other evening. She is agirl after my own heart, none of your vain, self-absorbed youngpersons, always concerned in her own affairs, but one of the realhearty kind that thinks of others as well as herself, and has hereyes open to what is best in life. I like her. "

"And she likes you. "

"I'm glad to hear it. "

"I wish you could see the kind of letters she writes to her father, but then, " Marian added thoughtfully, "he must be the kind of fatherit is easy to write that way to. "

"I'll be bound he is the right kind to have a daughter like that. She has no mother, she tells me. Her aunt keeps house for them, andthere is quite a family of children. "

"Yes, and Patty is the youngest. She is going to write to me. "

"Bless me, how you are blossoming out into a correspondent. Well, don't let it take up so much of your time that you won't be able todrop in as often as usual. There is a little basket of grapes in thepantry; you can take it to your grandma; the pear on top grew foryou to eat right now. "

Marian needed no second hint, but sought out the fruit and was notlong in burying her teeth in the yellow juicy pear, and then becauseit grew dark early, she hurried away that she might be home "beforethe dark catches you, " said Mrs. Hunt. 

_CHAPTER VII_

_Patty's Letter_

One day a few weeks later Marian ran to Miss Dorothy with a letterher grandfather had just brought in, and when her teacher opened it, she saw her smile as she drew a sheet from within the longer letter. "This is for you, Marian, " said Miss Dorothy. 

"It is from Patty, I know, " cried Marian delightedly, and she tookthe long-wished for letter over to the window while Miss Dorothyturned her attention to her own home news. 

Patty's was a nice cordial little note which told about her lessonsand her friends, and which said that she hoped Marian and she wouldsoon meet and be very chummy. "I know I shall like you, " wrotePatty, "because Dolly says so, and Dolly is nearly always right. "

"I think so, too, " said Marian aloud. She took much longer to readher letter than Miss Dorothy did to read hers, for she was not veryexpert in reading written pages. Miss Dorothy had laid down theclosely written sheets which she had been holding, and was lookingout of the window thoughtfully when Marian at last came to "Youraffectionate friend, Patty Robbins. "

"It was such a nice letter, " she said looking up with a pleasedsigh. 

"I am very glad you found it so, " returned Miss Dorothy with asmile. 

"Was yours a nice one?"

"Yes, it is from my father, and he always writes delightful letters. I hope to see him and Patty both on Saturday. Dad has some businessin the city, and Patty needs a new coat, so he is going to take herwith him. I am to meet them there, for poor dad would never know howto buy a coat. Do you often go to the city, Marian?"

"I never have been but once. "

"Really? I was just thinking how nice it would be if you could gowith me and meet Patty; then we three could go shopping and havelunch somewhere together. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy!" Such a plan was beyond Marian's wildest dreams. She looked radiant for a moment, then her face fell. 

"What is the matter?" asked Miss Dorothy. 

"I am afraid grandma will not let me go. I never have been but thatonce, and then grandma had to go to the dentist; grandpa could notgo with her and didn't want her to go alone. "

"But what about your clothes and things? Don't you have to go therefor them?"

"Grandma never gets me ready-mades. Miss Almira Belt makeseverything I wear. Do you suppose she always will do it?"

"I hope not, " returned Miss Dorothy gravely, then she laughed as shepictured a grown-up Marian arrayed in frocks of Miss Almira's make. They did very well for a little girl, for they were of good materialand neatly made, if old-fashioned in cut. 

"Do you think grandma would let me go?" asked Marian, a faint hopedawning within her. 

"I shall find out. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, are you really going to ask her?"

"I certainly am. "

"But I am afraid she will say it is too expensive. She doesn'tbelieve in spending money in that way on little girls. She allows meto go to church fairs and such things when they are for a goodcause, but she says journeying is not necessary, that it excites meand I am better off at home. "

"But you would really like to go, " said Miss Dorothy disregardingthis last speech. 

"It would be the most beautifullest thing that ever happened to me. "

"Such a small pleasure, " said Miss Dorothy half to herself. "Well, dear, if it is only a question of expense, that shall not stand inthe way, I promise you. Fifty cents or so would do it, and that isnot a large sum. "

Here Marian took alarm. "But, Miss Dorothy, you mustn't pay for me. You must keep your money for Patty and the others. You mustn't spendit on me. "

"Mustn't I?" Miss Dorothy looked over at her with a little knowingsmile. "Then I won't do it since you are so particular, but I have ascheme of my own and we shall see how it will work out. Are youwilling to earn it?"

"Indeed I am; I should like it above all things. I never earned anymoney for myself, but I have earned some for the heathen. "

Miss Dorothy made a little grimace. "Very well, if you are willingto earn your way, you may consider yourself invited to make thejourney at your own expense. I guarantee sufficient work to pay foryour ticket. I don't suppose you will object to being paid inadvance. "

Marian looked doubtful. "Well--if----"

"If--if----What an ifer you are. I don't mean all in advance, only apart. Do you agree to that?"

"I don't suppose it would be wrong to agree to that. "

"You must have a Puritan conscience, " said Miss Dorothy laughing. 

"What is that?"

"It is something that is very unhealthy sometimes. I will see thatyou begin your work to-morrow. "

"Do please tell me now what it is. "

"No, no, you might back out, " Miss Dorothy laughed. "I'll tell youwhen the time comes. In the meantime your grandma's consent must behad. Perhaps I'd better settle it at once. Will you go with me toask her?"

Marian hung back. "Oh, if you don't mind, " she said, "I'd rathernot. "

"You're no kind of a soldier. See me walk up to the cannon's mouth. "And leaving the room, Miss Dorothy ran lightly down-stairs. 

Marian followed slowly, but though she hesitated at the sitting-roomdoor where she heard voices, she did not tarry, but went on down tothe lower floor and into the garden where Tippy and Dippy lay asleepin the sunshine. Dippy opened one eye and stretched himself asMarian approached. She picked him up and carried him down to theapple tree. 

"I've had a letter from Patty, " she told him when she was settled inthe crotch of the tree, "and maybe, --it is only maybe, --Dippy, I amgoing to the city on Saturday. I don't suppose you would careanything about it. I am sure you would much rather stay here andchase grasshoppers, but I want to go so powerfully that I think Ishall cry my eyes out if grandma says I can't. I know she wouldn'tconsent if I asked her, but maybe she will if Miss Dorothy does. "She sat still cuddling Dippy who had fallen asleep again. From herpoint of vantage she could look up and down the street. She hadlearned not to expect to move the mountain, but the mustard seedswere again in her mind. 

Presently she saw Miss Dorothy come out the front door and turn downthe street. She crept along the limb on which she sat, leaving Dippyto look out for himself, and gained the wall from which she couldlook directly down upon the pavement. She must ask Miss Dorothy whatsuccess she had had. "Miss Dorothy, Miss Dorothy, " she called softlywhen her teacher came near. Miss Dorothy looked up. "What did shesay?" asked Marian. 

"She hasn't said yes yet, " replied Miss Dorothy. "What are you doingup there?"

"Oh, just nothing but looking around and thinking, about the mustardseed, you know. "

"Oh, yes. Very well, I'm about to do the works, so you stay thereand exercise the faith, and perhaps between us we'll manage to getthis settled to our satisfaction. "

"Where are you going?" asked Marian as Miss Dorothy walked on. 

"To attend to the works, " called back Miss Dorothy mysteriously. "Faith and works, you know. "

Marian crawled back again to the crotch of the tree. Dippy hadjumped down, not being pleased at having his nap disturbed, soMarian did not go after him but sat looking off at the mountain. "Iwant to go, oh, Lord, I do want to go, " she said wistfully, "and Ibelieve you will let Miss Dorothy manage it, yes, I do. " She satwith her eyes fixed upon the mountain for some time, then she gave along sigh, and changed her position. "I believe I'll go get Patty'sletter and read it over again, " she said, beginning to climb downthe tree. 

In a little while she was back again in her old place, letter inhand. She had finished reading it and was looking off down streetwatching for Miss Dorothy's return when she saw Mrs. Hunt enteringthe front door; she had come down street this time, instead of up. "She's come to see grandma, I suppose, " said Marian. Then a thoughtflashed across her mind; she wondered if Miss Dorothy's works hadanything to do with Mrs. Hunt's coming. To be sure Miss Dorothy wasnot with her, but neither had she been that other time when Mrs. Hunt had managed so well about the apron. Marian could not resistthe temptation of going in to hear what her grandmother and Mrs. Hunt were talking about. She paused at the door of the sitting-room. Mrs. Hunt sat rocking in one of the haircloth rockers, Mrs. Otway inthe other. 

"Yes, " Mrs. Hunt was saying, "Dr. Grimes says she's not likely to beabout again soon if she gets over it. "

Mrs. Otway looked very grave. "I'm sorry for more reasons than one. Marian needs a new coat, and I had counted on Almira's making it. "

It was Miss Belt, then, of whom they were talking. Marian creptsoftly in and sat down in a corner where she could hear more. 

"They think she got it up there at Billing's, " Mrs. Hunt went on. "She was sewing there a while ago, and Dr. Grimes says the water onthat place isn't fit to drink; they ought to boil it. Like as notthat is where she did get it. Typhoid is pretty slow, but she has agood nurse in Hannah, and I don't doubt she'll pull through. Is thatyou, Marian? Come here, honey. "

Marian went to her old friend. "I was telling about Almira Belt'sbeing down with typhoid, " said Mrs. Hunt. 

"Oh, isn't that too bad?" Marian's sympathies were real. She likedMiss Almira, though she didn't enjoy having her cold scissorssnipping around her shoulders, and her bony fingers poking at herwhen she stood up to be fitted. 

"It is too bad, " returned Mrs. Hunt, "for her work has to lie by;there's no one else to do it, for her sister Hannah has her handsfull. "

"I'm truly sorry, " said Mrs. Otway shaking her head, "with thewinter coming I am afraid it will go hard with them. "

"Yes, winter isn't far off, " said Mrs. Hunt. "William says he thinkswe'll have early snow. We'll all have to keep the Belts in mind, andI guess they'll not suffer. Well, I must be going. I thought you'dwant to hear about Almira; you're always so ready to look out forthe sick, Maria. "

"I certainly shall not let Almira want for anything I can do, "returned Mrs. Otway with emphasis. "She has been a good and faithfulworker all her days, and I hope her years of usefulness are notended yet. Thank you for coming to tell us, Salome. "

"Well, I knew you'd want to know, " repeated Mrs. Hunt. "By the way, Maria, I hear Miss Robbins is going to town on Saturday, and Ishouldn't wonder if there'd be something to get for Almira. I don'tdoubt Miss Robbins would attend to it. "

"I am sure she would, " returned Mrs. Otway. "She is always veryready to offer her services. "

"You like her right well, don't you?" said Mrs. Hunt. 

"Very much indeed; we are glad to have her with us. "

"That's what I surmised. What was I going to say? Oh, yes, you wereremarking that Marian needed a winter coat, and she will need it, cold as it is growing, for I remember you sent her last year's onein the missionary box. Why not let Miss Robbins get one for her inthe city? Marian could go along, and she'd be glad of her company. It wouldn't be much trouble if the child were there to fit it on. You could tell her the kind you wanted, and I'll venture to sayyou'd pay less than for the cloth and making. "

"Perhaps that would be a good plan, " replied Mrs. Otway, as if ithad not been presented before. "I'll see about it when Miss Dorothycomes in. "

"Oh, may I go?" Marian breathed softly, but at that moment thedoor was shut after Mrs. Hunt, and her grandmother did not hearthe question, which was just as well, as Marian on second thoughtsdecided, for if she thought the child wanted to go for a frolic shemight withhold her consent. So Marian wisely held her tongue andwent out to the garden again. 

No more was said upon the subject until the next day and Marian wasafraid it was forgotten, but in the afternoon Miss Dorothy calledher. "Come in here, young woman, and earn your trip to town. "

Marian obeyed with alacrity. Miss Dorothy was seated before hertypewriter. "Come here and I will show you what you have to do, " shesaid. "You are to make twenty copies of this little slip. You mustmake as many as you can upon one sheet of paper, about so far apart. You know now perfectly well how to put in the paper and how to takeit out. To-morrow you can make twenty slips more, twenty the dayafter, making sixty slips in all; you will be paid half a cent foreach slip, and eventually you will earn sixty cents, just what around trip ticket costs. Do you agree?"

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, of course, if you are sure I can do it. "

"Of course you can do it, at first slowly, and then, as they are tobe all alike, you will be able to do the last with your eyes shut. Now, I'll leave you to go ahead. "

"Please----"

"Please what?"

"Wait till I have done one to see if it is all right. "

"Very well, that is a small favor to grant. "

"And, tell me, am I really to go?"

"The powers that be, have so decreed. "

"And I can pay my own way?"

"Yes, that is one of the reasons. Your very wise and astute teacherremarked that it would teach you self-reliance and independence, help to make you resourceful, broaden your experiences. Oh, me! whatdidn't she argue?"

Marian turned adoring eyes upon her. "And Mrs. Hunt?" she said. 

"Did you think she had something to do with it? Well, she didwithout knowing it, for I was on my way to her house when she camehere with the news of Miss Almira's illness, and all unconsciouslyshe did us a good turn by suggesting that you go up to the city withme to get a coat. Wasn't it funny that it should happen that way? Ididn't mean about poor Miss Almira; that is anything but funny, butit is strange that Mrs. Hunt should have come around with a piece ofnews that settled the whole matter. When your grandma told me youwere to go, I came near laughing outright, but when I knew thereason I did look concerned, I hope. She said she had been thinkingover the matter of your going to the city with me. Would it be toogreat a task, and would I have time to select a coat for you? No, Isaid it would be no task at all, for I should be doing the same formy little sister. 

"Here I ran against a snag, for your grandmother said that perhaps Icould get yours without your being there, for my little sister couldbe your proxy. 'Oh, but, ' I said, 'Patty is short and chubby whileMarian is tall and slender. I am afraid I could never select theproper garment unless she were there to try it on. ' 'But theexpense, ' said grandma. 'Sixty cents would do much good in someother direction. ' 'Perhaps, ' I said, 'I can get a coat for less thanthe price you have fixed upon, if I get the two together. ' Shewasn't so sure of that. Then I said, 'I have a little work that Ipromised a friend of mine to do for her, typewritten slips, whichMarian could do perfectly. If I go to the city on Saturday I cannotget them all done as promptly as they should be, but if Marian couldhelp me, I could share the pay and she could then make her ownexpenses. ' At this grandma succumbed, and so, my dear, we are going. Now, I must go, for you will never do twenty slips before dark if Istand talking. That looks very well. Keep on as you have begun andyou have nothing to fear. "

Left to herself Marian tapped away industriously till just as it wasgetting too dark to see, she finished her twenty slips and proudlyshowed them to Miss Dorothy when she came in. The first money shehad ever really earned was placed in her hand. 

"If you don't get your entire sixty done this week, " said MissDorothy, "you can hitch some of them on to next week's number, forwe agreed to square this matter. So you needn't go to town with thefeeling that you haven't earned the trip, whatever happens. "

Marian smiled back her reply and ran down to show her precious dimeto her grandfather. He actually patted her on the head and calledher a good child while her grandmother looked over her spectaclesand nodded approval. 

The next day the second twenty slips were finished, but the thirdday only ten were done as Miss Dorothy had to use her typewriter forsome school work, yet with only ten remaining of the first sixty, Marian felt that she had no right to feel aggrieved, especially asit had become very easy work. So it was a very happy little girl whowent to sleep Friday night to dream of the next day's pleasures. 

_CHAPTER VIII_

_A Trip to Town_

The morning dawned bright and fair, a little cool, to be sure, butso much the better, thought Marian, for now grandma will be all themore ready for me to get my coat. The leaves danced in red, yellowand brown array, along the side-walk as Marian and Miss Dorothystepped out of the house to take the early train. It was such animportant occasion that Marian felt as if every one must bewondering where she was going so early, dressed in her best. But noone took any special notice of her except one of the schoolgirlswhom she happened to meet, and who said: "Are you going to town, Marian?"

"Yes, Miss Dorothy and I are going shopping, " returned Marian withbeaming face. 

"I thought you must be going; you're so dressed up, " returned thechild, and Marian smiled up at her companion with an air ofconscious delight. Everything was so interesting; the starting ofthe train, the movements of their fellow passengers, the outlookfrom the car windows, the masses of red and yellow foliage whichmeant forests, the brown bare spaces which were fields, the littleisolated houses, the small villages stretching away from thestations. There was not one moment of the journey when Marian wasnot entertained by what she saw along the way. 

At last they reached the city and such a noise and confusion as mettheir ears, made Marian cling to Miss Dorothy. "Is it always likethis?" she asked. 

"Like this? How?"

"So noisy and crowded and everybody rushing about in such a hurry. "

"Yes, I think it is. We notice it more, coming from our quiet littlevillage. This is the car we take. We are to meet Patty at thelibrary. Father has to go there to look up some references, and itseemed the best place to meet. Have you ever been there, Marian?"

"No, I never have. "

"Then it will be something for you to see. A good library is a goodlesson in many directions. "

But Marian's eyes were not taking in rows of books or libraryappointments when they reached the reading-room. She was searchingfor a dark-haired, rosy-faced, plump little girl who should answerto the name of Patty. "I believe there she is, " she whispered toMiss Dorothy, and nodded toward a corner where sat two whom Mariandecided must be those they were looking for. 

"Why, so it is, " returned Miss Dorothy. "The idea of your seeingthem first. How did you know them?"

"From the photographs you showed me, and from what you told me aboutthem. "

Patty had been on the lookout, too, and spied them at once. Shehurried forward, threw her arms around her sister and gave her afervent hug, then she turned to Marian. "I am so glad you couldcome, " she said heartily. "I was so afraid maybe you couldn't andI did so want us to be together to-day. "

"Dad is so absorbed he hasn't seen us yet, " said Miss Dorothy, making her way to the corner where her father sat. "I wonder if Ican steal up behind him and take him unawares. " She had almostreached him when he caught sight of her. Down went the book, hejumped up and had her in his arms in a minute. "Come, come, " hesaid, "let us get out where we don't have to whisper. I'll come backlater, " and he hurried them into the corridor where they could speakfreely. He was not a very tall man, but was broad-shouldered and alittle inclined to be stout. "Now, " he said with a pleasant smile atMarian, "I am willing to bet a cookie, that I can tell who this is. You look like your father, my dear. I knew him very well when I wasyounger, for I will venture to say you are a Miss Somebody Otway. "

"Her name is Marian, " said Patty, "and we are going to be greatfriends. "

"You are? Isn't it early in the day to make such predictions?" saidMr. Robbins. 

"No. " Patty shook her head. "I knew the minute I saw her that wewere going to be. I like her, don't you, daddy?"

"If she is as nice as she looks, I do, " was the reply, and Marianfelt much pleased at being made of such consequence. She was notused to being noticed and these friendly people pleased her. Shewondered if her father would be as cheery, and as affectionatelydisposed as Mr. Robbins. She would ask this pleasant man about herfather some day when they were better acquainted. 

"Now, let me see, what is the programme?" said Mr. Robbins to hiselder daughter. 

"We three females are going shopping. I am to buy Patty a coat. Isthere anything else I am to get for the family?"

"Dear me, yes. I have a long list that your Aunt Barbara gave me;she said you would know. I have it somewhere about me. " He felt inhis pockets and presently brought out the list which Miss Dorothylooked over. 

"Oh, these will not be much trouble, " she assured him. "They are alllittle things. I can easily see to them all. "

"That is good; I am glad to have that responsibility removed, " saidher father. "You will want some money, I suppose. "

"Yes, but not very much, " Miss Dorothy smiled encouragingly. Sheknew too well the many demands upon that none-too-well-filledpocketbook, and when her father took out a roll of bills and handedthem to her she gave some back to him. "I shall not need all that, "she told him. "Patty's coat is the only really expensive thing Ishall have to get. "

"Very well, then, " said her father, "but you must be sure to haveenough. Now, where shall we meet for lunch?"

"Oh, are we all to lunch together?" said Miss Dorothy in a pleasedvoice. "Suppose we go to Griffin's; it is a nice quiet place. "

"What time?"

"About one, I think. "

"All right, one sharp, then. Sure you've enough money?"

Miss Dorothy nodded. "Quite enough. Dear dad, " she said as he movedoff, "he is so generous. I don't believe he has a mean bone in hisbody. "

This set Marian to wondering if one had a mean bone which it wouldbe; she thought possibly an elbow; they could be so sharp, butbefore she had settled the question Patty began to talk to her andthey were then so busy getting acquainted that there was no time tothink of mean bones or anything else but themselves. 

It was a most delightful experience to go around the big shops, andlook at the pretty things. Patty had such a pleasant way of makingbelieve which added to the fun. "Now you say what you are going tobuy, " she began, "and I'll say what I am. I think I'd like thatpretty shiny, pinky silk hanging up there. "

Marian looked at her in amazement. "Oh, have you enough money to buythat?" she asked in surprise. 

Patty laughed. "Not really, I am just pretending I have. "

"Oh, " Marian's face cleared. "I'd like to pretend, too. Are yougoing to buy it for yourself?"

"Dear me, no. I am going to get it for Dolly; she would look dear ina frock of it. I shall not get much for myself. It's much more funto get for other people, for they don't know it and it doesn't makethem feel bad if they don't get the things. When I get things formyself, sometimes I am a little wee bit disappointed because I amonly make-believing. I think Dick would like one of those neckties, the red one, I think. "

Marian felt suddenly very poverty-stricken; there were no Dolliesor Dicks for her to buy make-believes for. She sighingly mentionedthe fact to Patty. 

"Oh, that doesn't make any difference, " said Patty cheerfully; "youcan buy for some one else. I think I'll get you that Roman sash. "

"Oh, lovely, and I'll get you the blue one. Would you like it?"

"I'd love it. "

"I might get Miss Dorothy one of those pretty lacey things in thecase. "

"That would be fine; she'd be so pleased. " Patty spoke so exactlyas if Marian really intended to buy it, that the latter laughedoutright. Patty was really great fun. 

"I'll get something for dear Mrs. Hunt, " Marian went on. 

"Oh, do. I know about her. Dolly wrote us how kind she was to her. She must be awfully nice. "

Marian overlooked the "awfully. " She was not going to criticiseanything about Patty if she could help it. "I think I ought to getsomething for poor Miss Almira, " she went on. "It is because she isso ill and couldn't make my coat that I could come to-day. What doyou think would be nice for her, Patty?"

Patty's eyes roved around the big store. "See, those soft-lookingwrappers hanging up way over there? I think one of those would bejust the thing for a sick person. Let's go look at them and pickone out. We'll tell Dolly we are going. She will be at that counterfor some time. "

They left Miss Dorothy while they went upon their interesting errandof selecting a proper robe for Miss Almira. They decided upon one oflavender and white, and then they returned to find that Miss Dorothyhad finished making her uninteresting purchases of tapes, thread andthe like, so they went to another floor to look at coats. Marian'swas chosen first and Patty was so pleased with it that she begged tohave one like it, "If Marian doesn't mind, " she said. 

Marian did not in the least mind, in fact she would be delighted toknow that she and Patty had coats alike, for then they could thinkof one another whenever they put them on. So one as near likeMarian's as possible was selected for Patty, and then they went to aplace Patty had been talking of all morning. This was an exhibitionof moving pictures which Patty doted upon and which Miss Dorothy, herself, confessed she dearly liked. To Marian it was like exploringa new country, and she was filled with awe and delight, so theyremained till the last minute and had to hurry in order to reachGriffin's by one o'clock. 

Mr. Robbins was there, watch in hand. "Ten minutes late, " he cried. 

"It was that funny man trying to get his hat that kept us, " declaredPatty. "We had to see the end. "

"She means the moving pictures, " Miss Dorothy explained. "We were soabsorbed we didn't realize how the time was going. "

"Oh, well, well, never mind, " said Mr. Robbins good-naturedly. "Ihave ordered lunch and we'll go eat it. "

"Good!" exclaimed Patty. "I always like what dad orders much betterthan what I get myself. What did you get, daddy dear?"

"Beefsteak and French fried potatoes, hot rolls, chocolate for youladies, coffee for myself. Would you like a salad, Dolly? We canhave some ice-cream and cake, or whatever sweet you like, later. "

Miss Dorothy declined the salad for them all, and her father ledthe way to a table near the windows where one could look out uponthe street or in upon the room in which they were sitting. It wasall very exciting and unusual to Marian who had never enjoyedsuch a high event in all her life as lunching at a restaurant withgrown-ups. Everything was a matter of curiosity and pleasure fromthe garnished dish of beefsteak to the chocolate with whipped creamon top. The shining mirrors, the dextrous waiters, the music playedby an orchestra, seated behind tall palms, made the place appearlike fairy-land to the little village girl. "I'd like to do thisevery day, " she confided to Patty. 

"So should I, " agreed Patty. 

"No, you wouldn't, " put in Mr. Robbins overhearing them. "You'd growso tired of it that you would long for plain bread and butter inyour own home. Nothing palls upon one so much as having to dine ata restaurant every day. I have tried it and I know. "

Marian could scarcely believe this possible, but she supposed thatsuch things appeared very different to men, and she was sure that itwould be many, many years before she would grow tired of it. Afterluncheon there came more shopping, and the time arrived all too soonwhen they must start for home. At parting Patty slipped a littlepackage into Marian's hand. "It's for you, " she whispered. "It isn'tthe Roman sash, but I hope you will like it. Dolly is going to askyour grandma if she can't bring you to make us a visit some day. "

"How I should love to do that, " was the fervent answer. Marian feltvery badly that she had nothing to give Patty in return for hergift. "If you were a heathen, " she said gravely, "I might havesomething to give you, too. I hope grandma will let me make thevisit. I mean to think of the mustard seed very hard and maybe shewill let me. " Then before she could explain this strange speech tothe puzzled Patty, Mr. Robbins said they must hurry to the train, and she had to leave Patty on the platform waiting till her trainshould be called, and wondering what sort of girl Marian could beto say such very unusual things. 

Marian waited till the train was fairly under way before she openedthe package Patty had given her. She found it contained a littledoll. On a piece of paper was scribbled: "You said you didn't haveany little dolls, so I got you this one. It cost only five cents. Ihope you will think of me when you play with it. " The doll was onewhich Marian had admired in the Five Cent store, and which she hadwished she could buy. "I don't see when she got it, " she said toMiss Dorothy, turning the doll around admiringly. 

"Don't you remember when you ran to the door to listen to the streetband that was playing outside?"

"Oh, yes. Was it then?"

"It was then. Patty was so pleased to get it so secretly. "

"I shall call it Patty, " said Marian. "I shall love her very much;she is so cunning and little, and I can do all sorts of things withher that I can't do with my big doll. " This tiny Patty was companyall the way home, and in a measure took the place of her livelynamesake. Marian had been obliged to rely upon her own invention andimagination so much in her little life, which had lacked childishcomrades, that she could amuse herself very well alone or withslight things. 

Miss Dorothy watched her as she murmured to the wee Patty and atlast she said: "Have you had a good day, girlie?"

Marian cuddled up to her in the familiar way she had seen Patty do. "Oh, it has been a wonderful day, and I am so thankful for Patty, "she said. 

"Big Patty or this little one?" Miss Dorothy touched the doll withher gloved finger. 

"For both. There is so much that is pleasant in the world, isn'tthere? Every little while something comes along that you never knewabout before and it makes you glad. First you came, then there wasschool and the girls, and to-day came Patty and your father. Hemakes me feel very differently about fathers. "

"He is a dear dad, " said Miss Dorothy lovingly. 

"Do you think mine will be like him? I've always thought of him asbeing like grandpa, not that grandpa isn't very nice, " she addedquickly, "but he doesn't think much about little girls, and neversays funny jokey things to them as your father does. He never seemsto notice the things I do, and your father talks to Patty about thelittle, little things I never knew grown up men were interested in. "

"That's because he has to be father and mother, too. Our mother diedwhen Patty was a baby, you know. Yes, daddy is a darling. "

"I hope mine will be, " said Marian earnestly. "I haven't any mothereither, so perhaps he will feel like being father and mother, too. Iwonder when I shall see him. I didn't use to think much about it, but since I have written to him, and all that, I think much moreabout him. "

"That is perfectly natural, and I have no doubt but that when hefinds out that you want to see him he will want to see you, and hewill be crossing the ocean the first thing we know. "

"Oh, do you really think so?"

"I shouldn't be at all surprised, only you mustn't count too much onit. We must be getting those photographs ready pretty soon. "

"I would like one of Patty and me together, I mean Patty Robbins, this is Patty Otway, " and she held out her doll. 

"We'll see if that can be arranged. "

"How can it when we don't live in the same place?"

"I have a little plan that I cannot tell you yet. If it works outall right I will let you know. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, you are always making such lovely plans. What didI ever do without you? Has the plan anything to do with my going tovisit Patty some time?"

"Maybe it has and maybe it hasn't. But, dear me, we are slowing upfor Greenville. We must not be carried on to the next station. Havewe all the things? Where is the umbrella? Oh, you have it. Allright. I hope Heppy will give us hot cakes for supper, don't you?"So saying she led the way from the train and in a few minutes theywere making their way up the familiar street which, strange to say, had not altered in the least since morning, although Marian feltthat she had been away so long something must surely have happenedmeanwhile. 

_CHAPTER IX_

_A Visit to Patty_

After all it was not so very long before Marian and Patty met again, for a little cough which developed soon after the trip to town incourse of time grew worse, and in course of time the family doctorannounced that Marian had whooping-cough. Mrs. Otway was aghast. Shehad a horror of contagious diseases and kept Marian at a distance. "She must not go to school, " she said to Miss Dorothy, "for theother children might take it. "

This was a great blow to Marian, for it meant not only staying awayfrom school, but from her schoolmates upon whom she had begun todepend, so it was a very sorrowful face that she wore all that day, and time hung heavily upon her hands. She wandered up-stairs anddown, wishing for the hour to come when Miss Dorothy would return. Finally she went out to the garden, for her grandmother had toldher to keep in the open air as much as possible, and it was stillpleasant in the sunshine. "I don't suppose Dippy and Tippy willget the whooping-cough if I play with them, " she remarked toHeppy, feeling that if these playmates failed her she would bedesolate indeed. 

Heppy laughed. "They're not likely to, " she said, "though I haveknown plenty of cats to have coughs, and I have known of theirhaving pneumony, but I guess you can risk it. "

So Marian and the cats spent the morning in the garden and it wasthere Miss Dorothy found them when she came in to dinner. She had anopen letter in her hand which she waved as she walked toward Marian. "What do you think?" she said. "Patty has the whooping-cough, too, though not very badly. Your grandmother was right when she said youprobably got it the day we all went shopping. "

"Oh, poor Patty! I wish she were here with me. "

"And she wishes you were there with her. She is going to havelessons at home for a little while each day, and I think it would bea good thing if you could have them together. In fact, it struck meas such a good plan that I have spoken to your grandmother about it. Your grandfather has taken up some work this winter which will keephim very busy, and he could not give you any time. I would be gladto, but my work grows more and more absorbing and your grandparentswill not listen to my teaching you out of school hours, so as itseems a pity for you to lose all these weeks, I proposed that youshould go to our house to keep Patty company. You will not have tostudy so very hard, for the whooping-cough must have plenty ofoutdoor air, and it would not do for you to be cooped many hoursa day. What do you think of it?"

For a moment Marian looked pleased, then her face fell. "I shouldmiss you so, " she said. 

"You dear child, " returned Miss Dorothy, drawing her close. "Soshould I miss you, but I think I can arrange to come home everyweek now. It will mean very early rising on Monday morning inorder to get here in time for school, but I can manage it, andI shall be able to reach home by six on Friday afternoon, soyou see----"

"Oh, I do see, and I think that would be fine. "

"My little Patty misses me, too, and so does Father. Aunt Barbarais an excellent housekeeper and a good nurse when any one is ill, but she is not much of a companion for daddy nor for Patty. Then, too, I hate to be out of it all. I long to keep up with the collegenews and the home doings, so I shall try going home at the end ofthe week, for awhile, anyhow. "

"And did grandma say I could go?"

"She actually did. I think she is a little afraid of takingwhooping-cough herself, for she asked me yesterday if I hadever known of any grown person having it, and I do know ofseveral cases. I had it myself when I was three years old, but your grandma cannot remember that she ever had. "

"I'm glad she can't remember, " returned Marian with a laugh. "Whois going to hear our lessons, Miss Dorothy?"

"My sister Emily. She is two years younger than I, and is stillstudying. She is taking special courses at college, but thinksshe can spare an hour or so a day to you chicks, especially asshe expects to teach after a while, and she will begin topractise on you. "

"I will take little Patty with me, " declared Marian, picking upthat person from where she was seated on a large grape leaf undera dahlia bush. 

"So I would. I am sure she will like to visit Patty's dolls. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, you are so nice, " exclaimed Marian giving her alittle squeeze. "Grandma never says such things. She doesn't everlike to make believe. She says the facts of life are so hard thatthere is no time to waste in pretending. " Marian's manner as shesaid this was so like her grandmother's that Miss Dorothy could butsmile. "I am glad you took some of the photographs for papa before Igot the whoops, " Marian went on; "the one at school and the one atMrs. Hunt's. Oh, dear Mrs. Hunt will be sorry to have me go. "

"She will, I know. She told me this morning that she was going toask you to stay with her a while during the time you must be awayfrom school. Should you like that better than going to Revell?"

"I'd like both, " answered Marian truthfully. 

"That is often the way in this world, " returned Miss Dorothy. "Itis frequently hard to choose between two equally good things. Iwill bring you all the home news every week, and can tell youwhether Ruth knew her lessons, whether Marjorie was late, howMrs. Hunt's fall chickens are thriving, and what Tippy andDippy do in your absence. I shall be quite a newsmonger. "

"What is a monger?"

"One who deals or sells. You can look it up in the dictionarywhen you go back to the house. "

The preparations for her departure went forward quickly, andby Friday morning, Marian's trunk was packed, and all was inreadiness. Her grandfather actually kissed her good-bye andgave her five cents. As her grandmother did not happen to beon hand at that moment to require that Marian should depositthe nickel in her missionary box, the child pocketed it inglee, and, at Miss Dorothy's suggestion, bought a picturepostal card to send her father, giving her new address. MissDorothy wrote it for her, addressed and mailed the card, soMarian was satisfied that her father would know where she was. "I don't like to have him not know, " she told Miss Dorothy. Mrs. Otway gave her granddaughter many charges to be a goodgirl and give no trouble, to take care of her clothes properlyand not to forget to be obedient. 

"As if I could forget, " thought Marian. 

Heppy had no remarks to make, but only grunted when Marian went tosay good-bye to her. However as the child left the kitchen Heppysnapped out: "You'd better take along what belongs to you as longas you're bound to go. "

"Take what?" asked Marian wonderingly, not knowing that she had leftanything behind. 

Heppy jerked her head in the direction of the table on which apackage was lying. 

"What is it?" asked Marian curiously. 

"Something that belongs to you, " said Heppy turning her back andtaking her dish-towels out to hang in the sun. 

Marian carried the package with her and later on found it containedsome of Heppy's most toothsome little cakes. "It is just like her, "Marian told Miss Dorothy. "She acts so cross outside and all thetime she is feeling real kind inside. "

Miss Dorothy laughed. "I am beginning to find that out, but I shallnever forget how grim she seemed to me when I first came. "

Mr. Robbins' house was very near the college, and Marian thoughtit the prettiest place she had ever seen. As they walked up theelm-bordered street, the college grounds stretched away beyond them. The gray buildings were draped in vines bright with autumn tints, and the many trees showed the same brilliant colors. In front of theRobbins' door was a pretty garden where chrysanthemums were alla-bloom, and one or two late roses had ventured to put forth. A wideporch ran along the front and one side the house, and on this Pattystood watching for them. She was not long in spying them and hurrieddown to meet them. "I am so glad you have whooping-cough, " shecalled out before they came up. Then as they met and embraced shewent on: "Isn't it fine, Marian, that we both have whooping-coughand winter coats alike? We're most like twins, aren't we? Come rightin. There is a fire in the library, Dolly, and Emily has tea therefor you. "

"Good!" cried her sister, "that will go to the spot this chillyevening. Where are Aunt Barbara and dad?"

"Oh, puttering around somewhere. "

"And the boys?"

"They went to practice for the game, but they ought to be homeby now. "

They entered the house and went into the library where a tall, dark-eyed girl was brewing tea. She looked up with a smile andMarian saw that she was a little like Miss Dorothy. "Here she is. Here is Marian, " cried Patty. 

Emily nodded pleasantly. "Come near the fire, " she said. "It isquite wintry out. How good it is to see you, Dolly. I am so gladyou are coming home every week. "

"Oh, what are those?" said Miss Dorothy as her sister uncovereda plate. 

"Your favorite tea cakes, but you mustn't eat too many of themor you will have no appetite for supper. It will be rather lateto-night for the boys cannot get back before seven and they beggedme to wait for them. I knew you would be hungry, though, and so Ihad tea, ready for you. "

The two little girls, side by side, comfortably sipped some veryweak tea and munched their cakes while the older girls chatted. ButPatty made short work of her repast. "Hurry up, " she whispered toMarian, "I have lots of things to show you and we shall have supperafter a while. Is your cough very bad?"

"Not yet. "

"They say mine isn't but I hate the whooping part. I hope it won'tget worse. "

"I'm afraid it will, for we've only begun to whoop and they say ittakes a long time to get over it. "

"Oh, those old they-says always are telling you something horrid. Come, let me show you the boys' puppies before it gets too dark tosee them; they're out in the shed. "

"Oh, I'd love to see them. " Marian despatched the remainder of hercake and was ready to follow Patty out-of-doors to where five tinyfox terriers were nosing around their little mother. They were dulyadmired, then Patty showed the pigeons and the one rabbit. By thistime it was quite dark, so they returned to the house to see thefamily of dolls who lived in a pleasant room up-stairs. 

"This is where we are to have lessons, " Patty told her guest. "Isn't it nice? Those two little tables are to be ours, andEmily will sit in that chair by the window. We arranged it all. These are my books. " She dropped on her knees before a row oflow book shelves. 

"Oh, how many, " exclaimed Marian. "I have only a few, and mostof those are old-fashioned. Some were my grandparents' and somemy father's. "

"Doesn't your father ever get you any new ones?"

"He might if he were here, " Marian answered, "but you see I don'tknow him. "

"Don't know your father?" Patty looked amazed. 

"No. He lives in Germany, and hasn't been home for seven oreight years. "

"How queer. Isn't he ever coming?"

"I hope he is. I wrote to him not long ago. "

"Why, don't you write to him every little while?"

"No, I haven't been doing it, but I am going to now, " she said, then, as a sudden thought struck her, she exclaimed: "Oh, dear, I am afraid I can't. "

"Why not?" asked Patty. 

"Because I used Miss Dorothy's typewriter at home. I don't writevery well with a pen and ink, you know, though I can do better thanI did. "

"Oh, I expect you do well enough, " said Patty consolingly, "and ifyou don't, dad has a typewriter, and maybe he will let you use that, and if he won't I know Roy will let you write with his. It is only alittle one, but it will do. "

"I think you are very kind, " said Marian. "Is Roy your brother?"

"My second brother; his name is Royal. Frank is the oldest oneand Bert the youngest of the three. There are six of us, youknow; three girls and three boys. First Dolly and Emily, thenthe boys and then me. "

"I should think it would be lovely to have so many brothers andsisters. "

"It is, only sometimes the boys tease, and my sisters think I mustalways do as they say because they are so much older, and sometimesI want to do as I please. "

"But oughtn't you to mind them?"

"Oh, I suppose so. At least when I don't and they tell daddy, healways sides with them, so that means they are right, I suppose. "

There was some advantage in not having too many persons to obey, Marian concluded, and when the three boys came storming in, onemaking grabs at Patty's hair, another clamoring to have her find hisbooks, and the third berating the other two, it did seem to Marianthat there were worse things than being the only child in the house. 

However, the boys soon subsided, so the two little girls were leftin peace and Patty displayed all the wonders in her possession; thedelightful little doll house which the boys had made for her theChristmas before, the dolls who inhabited it, five in number, Mr. And Mrs. Reginald Montgomery, their two children and the black cook. "The coachman and nurse have to live in another house, there isn'troom for them here, " Patty informed Marian. "Which do you like best, hard dolls or paper ones?"

"Sometimes one and sometimes another, " returned Marian. "I don'tknow much about paper dolls, though. Mrs. Hunt gave me some out ofan old fashion book, but they got wet, and I haven't any nice onesnow. "

"Emily makes lovely ones, " Patty told her, "and I'll get her to dosome for us; I know she will. "

"How perfectly lovely, " exclaimed Marian, beginning to feel thatshe had been very lucky when Dame Fortune sent the Robbins familyher way. 

"There is Emily calling now, " said Patty. "I suppose supper isready and we must go down. I will show you the rest of my thingsto-morrow. Coming, Emily, " she answered as she ran down-stairs. 

But it was because Marian's trunk had come that Emily wanted thelittle girls, and when this was unpacked and Marian felt that shewas fairly established supper was announced. It was a plain but wellcooked and hearty meal such as suited the appetites of six healthyyoung persons, three of them growing boys. As she saw the bread andbutter disappear, Marian wondered how the cook managed to keep themsupplied. 

True to her promise Patty asked Emily about the paper dolls thatvery evening and she smilingly consented to make them two apiece. "Just a father and a mother and a little child, " Patty begged hersister. 

"Very well, " said Emily. "I think I can throw in the child. "

"Marian, do you want the child to be a baby?" asked Patty. 

"Oh, a tiny baby, " said Marian. "If I may have that, I should bedelighted. "

"You shall have it, " promised Emily and straightway fell to work tofill the contract for paper dolls, Marian watching her with a happyface. To see any one actually drawing anything as lovely as thesepromised to be was a new pleasure, and her ohs and ahs, softlybreathed as each was finished, showed her appreciation. 

The two little girls took themselves to a corner of the librarywhere they could play undisturbed, making houses of the lower bookshelves. "Oh, may we do that?" asked Marian in surprise as she sawPatty stacking the books on the floor. 

"Oh, yes, " was the answer, "if we put the books back again when wehave finished. You take that corner and I'll take this, then we'llhave plenty of room. "

Such liberties were never allowed Marian at home, and she grew somerry over Patty's funny make-believes that more than once MissDorothy and her sister exchanged pleased glances, and once MissDorothy murmured: "I'd like her father to see her now. She hasbeen starved for just that sort of cheerful companionship. "

"She seems a very nice child, " said Emily. 

"She is, " returned Miss Dorothy. "She has never had a chance to bespoiled. "

Bedtime came all too soon, and the books were reluctantly put backon their shelves, the dolls safely stowed away in a large envelope, and Miss Dorothy piloted the way to Patty's pretty little room whichshe was to share with Marian. 

As Miss Dorothy stooped to give the two a good-night kiss, Marianwhispered: "I've had such a lovely time. I'd like to live herealways. I hope my whooping-cough won't get well for a long time. "

_CHAPTER X_

_Running Away_

The days for the most part went happily for the two little girls. They spent much time out-of-doors, lessons taking up only two hoursa day. Beside the many outdoor plays which all children love therewere others which Patty invented, and these Marian liked best. Thetwo had some disagreements and a few quarrels, for Patty, being theyoungest child in her family, was a little spoiled, and liked herown way. She was an independent, venturesome little body, and ledMarian into ways she had never tried before. She loved excitementand was always planning something new and unusual. 

One morning after the two had raced around the lawn till they weretired, had climbed trees, jumped from the top step many times, gathered chestnuts from the burrs newly opened by the frost, Pattywas at her wits' end to know what to do next. "Let's run away, " shesaid suddenly. 

"Oh, what for?" said Marian to whom such adventures never suggestedthemselves. 

"Oh, just because; just to do something we haven't done, " was thereply. 

"But where shall we run?"

"Oh, anywhere. Down there. " Patty nodded toward the road which ledfrom the college grounds. 

Marian looked dubious. "But where would we stay at night, and wherewould we get anything to eat?"

"Oh, along the way somewhere. "

"We haven't any money to buy food. "

"No, but some one would give it to us if we asked. "

"Why, then we would be beggars. "

Patty nodded. "I've always thought I would like to try what it wouldbe like not to mind your clothes, nor your face and hands. It wouldbe rather fine, don't you think, not to have grown-ups say to you:Be careful of your frock. Don't get your shoes wet. No lady ever hassuch a face and hands. "

"Ye-es, " doubtfully from Marian. "Suppose we should get lost andnever find our way back. "

"We couldn't if we kept a straight road. We might meet a princess indisguise, riding in her carriage and she might take us in with her. I should like to see a real princess. "

"My father has seen one. "

"I don't believe it. "

"He has. Cross my heart. He wrote to grandma about her and saidshe looked like any one else. "

"Then she couldn't have been a real princess, " said Pattytriumphantly. 

"My father doesn't tell stories, I thank you, " said Marianindignantly. 

"You don't know whether he does or not; you don't know him, "retorted Patty. 

Marian gave her one look, arose from where she was sitting, andstalked into the house. Patty was at her heels in a moment. "Oh, please don't get mad, " she begged. 

Marian made no reply for a moment, then she said in a low voice, "I'm not exactly mad, but my feelings hurt me. "

Patty was too warm-hearted to let this pass. She flung her armsaround her friend's neck. "I was horrid to say that, " she said, "when I have a father close by and you haven't any mother. "

"Neither have you, " returned Marian mollified. 

"I know, but I have brothers and sisters, and live with my father. Ithink, after all, Marian, we won't run away, but we might go downthat road a little way and see what it looks like. "

"Haven't you ever been there?"

"No, we always go in the other direction. " She did not say why, nordid she tell Marian that she had been warned of a rowdy neighborhoodin the vicinity of some factories further on. "You see, " shecontinued, "it would be fun to pretend we were running away. Wecould stay till it gets dark and we began to be afraid. "

"Not till it is really dark, " Marian improved on the suggestion, "but just till it begins to be. "

"Well, yes, that would do. Come on, let us start. "

"Don't you think we ought to take some lunch?"

"Well, maybe, though I would rather trust to luck; it would be muchmore exciting. I think I will take five cents that I have, and thenif we don't see any chance of getting something to eat we can buyenough to keep us from getting very, very hungry. " So saying, sheran toward the house. 

"Bring Patty Wee, " called Marian after her. 

"All right, " answered Patty the Big from the door-step. She came outagain directly with the money clasped in her hand, and bearing PattyWee. 

"I suppose we mustn't go near any children, " said Marian as theystarted off, "for we might give them the whooping-cough. "

"I'm sure I don't want to go near any, " replied Patty independently. "See, the road we are going to take leads right past the chapel anddown that hill. "

"What are those chimneys sticking up there at the foot of the hill, where all that smoke is coming out?"

"They are the chimneys of the factories. "

"What kind of factories?"

"Oh, some kind. I don't know. We can ask when we get home if youwould like to know. " She hurried Marian past the big factorybuildings from which issued the clattering noise of machinery, andfrom whose chimneys black smoke was pouring. At the foot of the hillthere was a little bridge spanning a rapid stream. Further up, thestream was bordered by willows, and a meadow beyond seemed aninviting playground. "Let's go up there, " said Marian; "it looksso pleasant. "

"We might fish if we had a hook and line, " said Patty, bent on somenew diversion. 

"Oh, do you suppose there are any fish so near the factory?"

"There might be, " returned Patty, "but as we haven't anything tocatch them with they are perfectly safe. "

Marian laughed, then added, "I think I am glad they are, for Idon't believe it would make me very happy to see the poor thingsstruggling and gasping. "

"Then it is just as well we can't catch them, for I don't want tomake you unhappy, " said Patty. "See that big tree over there withthat flat rock near it? I think it looks as if it would be a niceplace to play. "

"So it does. I wonder if we can reach it easily. "

"I'll go and see. If it is all right I will call you. Just wait herefor me. "

Marian sat down on the stump of a tree near the bridge to wait. Itwas pleasant to hear the murmur of the water, and to watch thelittle eddies and ripples. It was a true Indian summer day, warm andhazy. The squirrels were whisking their tails in the trees near by, and the crows were cawing in a corn field not far off. Marian wasenjoying it all very much when Patty called, "Come, Marian, come. I've found something. Come around by the fence and creep under. "

Marian obeyed and was soon by Patty's side. "What have you found?"

"Just see here, " said Patty excitedly. "Some one has been playinghere before us. "

Marian stooped down to look where, in a little cave made by thelarge stone, was a small doll, a table made of a block of wood, somebits of blue china for dishes, a row of acorns for cups, and a bedof green moss. Outside stood a small cart made of a box with spoolsfor wheels. 

"Isn't it cunning?" said Patty, appealed to by the unusual. "Now wecan play nicely. "

"Do you think we ought to touch them?"

"Why not? They are out here where anybody could get them. Ishouldn't wonder if some child had been playing here and forgot allabout it. There's no telling how long they have been here. " Thisquieted Marian's scruples and they took possession. Patty Wee, asthey now called Marian's little doll, just fitted in the cart, soshe was brought in state to visit the cave doll, whom Patty calledMiggy Wig, neither knew just why. 

It was much more interesting to serve grass and acorn kernels frombroken bits of china than it was to have a real tea-party in anorderly nursery with real cups and saucers, and the strange dolladded to the zest of the play because she was an unknown. Thechildren speculated upon who might be her possible owner, andwondered if she were mourned and missed, or only forgotten. A fattoad, tempted out by the warm sunshine, hopped from under the stoneand sat blinking at the children in such a funny way that theylaughed so loud as to send him away. 

Everything was going on merrily when presently the shrill whistle ofthe factory announced that it was noon, and pretty soon crowds ofmen, women, boys and girls trooped down the road toward a group ofsmall houses further along. It was a noisy, jostling crowd and thetwo children were glad they were not nearer. They cowered downbehind the big rock to wait till the factory hands had passed by. 

In a few minutes Patty peeped forth. "They've gone, " she whispered. "I don't believe they would have noticed us anyhow. Let's play thatthe fat toad is an enchanted prince, and that Miggy Wig is going toliberate him from his enchantment. "

"All right, " agreed Marian. "What shall Patty Wee be?"

"If Miggy Wig is the fairy, Patty Wee can be the princess who willwed the prince. Now Miggy Wig and I are going to gather three kindsof herbs to make the charm, " said Patty. 

Marian was delighted. She had but lately entered the wonderfulregion of fairy-land, but under Patty's guidance was becoming veryfamiliar with its charms and enchantments. 

Patty and Miggy Wig hied forth to gather the three kinds of herbswhile Marian kept watch with Patty Wee. It was now so quiet thatthe toad ventured out again. Patty had dubbed him Prince Puff, avery fitting name the girls agreed. Marian was watching him as hedid his funny act of swallowing, shutting his eyes and looking asif he meant to eat his own head, Patty said, when suddenly voicessounded behind her, angry voices. 

"Well ain't that cheek?" cried some one. 

Marian looked up and saw two shabby looking girls about her own age. She quickly rose to her feet, letting Patty Wee slip to the ground. The other Patty was some distance away. 

"What business have you got here?" said the taller of the strangegirls, stepping up. 

"Why, we're just playing, " replied Marian. 

"Just playing, " mimicked the girl. "Do you hear that, Pearl? Justplaying with our things. Ain't that cheek for you? Let's show herwhat we think of folks that steal our belongings. "

"I haven't taken a thing, " said Marian indignantly. "I am not athief. "

"Where's my doll, then? Call me a liar, do you?" said the girlfiercely, and stepping still nearer she gave Marian a soundingslap on the cheek. 

By this time Patty had seen the newcomers and had hurried up. "Don'tyou dare touch my friend, " she cried. "We're not doing any harm toyou and your things. "

"Well, you've meddled with them, and you were going to take my doll;you've got it now. Give it to me, " and the girl snatched Miggy Weefrom Patty's hand. "They meddled, didn't they, Pearl?"

"Yes, they did, " chimed in the younger girl. "They meddled, sothey did. "

"Well, they've got to hustle off pretty quick or I'll set myfather's big dog on them. Get out, you thieves, " she said toPatty and Marian. 

"We are not thieves, " replied Patty indignantly. 

"What were you doing with my doll, then?"

"I didn't know it was yours. I didn't know it belonged to any one. "

"Oh, you didn't, " in sarcastic tones. "Perhaps you thought it grewhere like that there weed; you look green enough to think that. "

Patty clenched her hands and bit her lip to keep from makingan answer which she knew would only aggravate matters. She drewherself up and gave the girl a withering look, then she turnedto Marian. "Come, let us go, " she said. 

"Oh, you think you're very grand, don't you, " said the girlteasingly. "Well, you're not, and I can tell you we're notgoing to let you off so easy. You've got to pay for the useof our playhouse. I'll take this in pay, " and she grabbedPatty Wee from Marian. 

"Oh, no, no, " cried Marian in distress, "you can't have my doll. "

"I can't, can't I? I'll show you whether I can. " And the girl facedMarian so threateningly that she shrank away. 

Then Patty thought of a device. "You'd better not come too near us, "she cried, "for we've got the whooping-cough, " and indeed just thenby reason of the excitement she did have a paroxysm of coughingwhich plainly showed that she spoke truly. 

The girl backed away, and as soon as Patty had recovered, shegrasped Marian's hand and hurried her away. "Never mind PattyWee, " she said; "I'll get you another just like her. Let's getaway as fast as we can. "

Marian realized that this was the wiser plan, and they hurriedoff, their two enemies calling after them mockingly. 

Their breathless flight set them both coughing, and when theyrecovered breath they both walked soberly on without saying aword, their object being to get as far away as possible fromthe scene of trouble. Up hill and down again they trudged, andpresently saw ahead of them a house and garden at the junctionof two roads. 

"I never saw that place before, " said Patty, looking at it with apuzzled air. "I'm sure I don't know where we are. "

"Oh, Patty, " exclaimed Marian in dismay, "are we lost?"

"Well no, not exactly. We'll stop at that house and ask the way. "

As they approached they saw that the front of the house was a smallcountry store, so they went around to the door and opened it. A belljangled sharply as they entered, and from somewhere in the rear awoman came forward. "What's wanting?" she asked. 

"Will you tell us how far we are from Revell?" said Patty. "We wantto go there, to the college. "

The woman looked at her with some curiosity. 

"It's about three miles, " she said. "You go up this road and turn toyour left about a mile on, just before you come to the factories. You pass by them and keep straight on. "

"Thank you, " said Patty. Then seeing piles of rosy apples, boxes ofcrackers, and such eatables, she realized that she was very hungry. "Will you tell me what time it is?" she said. 

The woman looked up at a big clock over the door. "It is after two, "she said, "about quarter past. "

"Oh, dear, " Patty looked at Marian, "we can't get back to dinner. "Suddenly all the joys of a gypsy life faded away. She looked at theapples, felt in her coat pocket for her five cents, and fortunatelyfound it. "How much are those apples?" she asked. 

"Ten cents a quarter peck, " the woman told her. 

"Oh, I meant how much apiece. "

"I guess you can have 'em for a cent apiece. There'll be about tenin a quarter, I expect. "

"Then I'll take two. " The woman picked out two fine red ones andhanded them to her. "I have three cents left, " said Patty. "Whatshall I get, Marian?" Her eyes roved along the shelves. 

"That soft mixture's nice, " said the woman, "and it's right fresh. "

"Can I get three cents' worth?"

"Oh, yes. "

"Then I'll take it. "

The woman took down a box of mixed cakes and weighed out thenecessary amount. Patty gave the five cents and the two littlegirls left the store. 

"I never was so hungry, " said Patty, her teeth immediately seekingthe apple. 

"Nor I, " said Marian, following her example. And they trudged alongmunching the apples till they reached the top of the hill. Theycould see the factory chimneys in the distance and knew they couldfind their way, though both dreaded to pass the neighborhood of therude girls who must live near the factory. They almost held theirbreath as they approached the spot, but they got by safely, andtoiled on toward home, two thoroughly weary, disgusted littlegirls. 

"It wasn't much fun, " said Marian plaintively, as they neared thehouse. 

"I shall never, never want to go that way again, " said Pattycontritely. "We haven't had any real dinner; I've spent my fivecents, and you've lost Patty Wee. "

At the thought of this last disaster Marian's eyes filled. "Don'tfeel so, " said Patty in distress. "I'll buy you another the veryfirst time I go to the city. I know Dolly will give me five cents. "

"But it won't be Patty Wee, " said Marian mournfully. 

Patty was honest enough to go straight to her sister Emily withthe whole story of the morning's trouble. "You knew you weredisobedient, didn't you, Patty?" said Emily gently. "Now you seewhy daddy always forbade your going down that way. He knows thosefactory people are a rough set. "

Patty hung her head. "I know I was as bad as could be, Emily, butI'll never do it again. "

"The worst part is that you led Marian into it, for she didn't know, as you did, that you mustn't go that way. You say those girls struckher, and took her doll away from her. I think she had the worst ofit, and yet it was all your fault, Patty. "

"Oh, dear, oh, dear, I am wickeder than I thought, " sobbed Patty. "What can I do, Emily, to make up for it? I will do anything youthink I ought. I spent my five cents and I haven't any more to getanother Patty Wee. "

"If you will go without dessert for a week I will give you fivecents to buy another doll. I think you have had punishment enoughotherwise, but you can't make up to Marian for having those girlstreat her so. "

Patty's tears flowed afresh, but she agreed to give up what meant agreat deal to her. 

However, the five cents did not go toward buying another Patty Wee, for when Patty told her brothers of the morning's adventure, theylooked at each other knowingly, and a little later on plottedtogether in the shed. So a few days after they triumphantly appearedwith the lost Patty Wee which they restored to the delighted Marian. They would never tell how they recovered the doll, but Pearl andEvelina have memories of three big determined boys bearing downupon them when they were playing under the big tree, boys whodemanded a doll taken by force, and having great respect formanly strength the girls gave up Patty Wee without a word. 

_CHAPTER XI_

_A Letter's Reply_

The lovely Indian summer was over, and Thanksgiving Day passedhappily. It was a great time for Marian, for Miss Dorothy was homefor several days and together they planned the book of photographsto be sent to Marian's father. "I think it would better go in ampletime, " said Miss Dorothy, "for at Christmas time there will be suchbudgets going that we must be sure to get ours in before the rushbegins. I should give it two or three weeks anyhow, and even if itdoes get there too soon, that will be better than too late. "

"Don't you think it is time I was getting an answer to my letter?"asked Marian. 

"It is high time, but perhaps your father has been away, and has nothad his mail forwarded. "

And indeed that was exactly the way of it as was proved the verynext day when the morning's mail brought Marian her long-looked-forletter. She trembled with excitement when Mr. Robbins placed it inher hands, and her eyes eagerly sought Miss Dorothy. "Won't you gowith me somewhere and read it to me?" she whispered. 

Miss Dorothy hesitated. "Perhaps your father has written it for youreyes alone. "

"But suppose I can't read it. "

"Well, then we'll go to my room and you can open it there. If youcan't read it I'll help you out. Will that do?"

"Oh, yes, thank you, dearest Miss Dorothy. " Marian had learned fromPatty to use many endearing terms. 

They went up-stairs to the pleasant front room with its pretty paperand hangings of roses on a creamy ground, and by the window they satdown while Marian carefully opened the envelope. As she unfolded thesheet of paper it held, something fell out in her lap. "It is aphotograph of papa, " she cried as she picked it up. "I never had oneof my very own, and see, Miss Dorothy, the letter is typewritten soI can read it quite easily, but please sit by me while I see what hesays. "

It was a long, loving letter in which the writer spoke of thepleasure it had been to him to hear from his little daughter, ofhow her accounts of her daily life had taken him back to his ownchildhood, and of how often he thought of her and longed to see her. "If I thought it best, my dear little daughter, " he said, "I shouldnot let the ocean roll between us, though some day I hope you cancome to me if I may not go to you. " There were many more things, entertaining descriptions of the places to which he had lately been, accounts of his doings and his friends, the whole ending with arequest that Marian would write as often as she could. As shefinished the closing lines Marian held out the letter to MissDorothy. "Do read it, " she said. "I know he would not care. Thereisn't anything in it that you mustn't see. I'd like you to read itout loud to me, Miss Dorothy; I can't quite get the sense of itmyself. " So Miss Dorothy did as she was requested and agreed withMarian that it was a very nice letter, that her father did loveher, and that the reason he did not come home was because he felthe would not be welcome. 

After this it was an all-important matter to get the photographsready to send and to write a letter in answer to the one Marian hadjust received. Patty was very much interested in the photographs, for besides those taken in Greenville of Marian and the cats inthe garden, of Marian at school, in the sitting-room with hergrandparents, in her own room and in Mrs. Hunt's kitchen, therewere a number taken in Revell where various members of the Robbinsfamily appeared and where Patty herself was always a conspicuousfigure. But the very last one was of Marian alone with armsoutstretched and face upheld for a kiss. Under it was written, "A hug and kiss for you, dear papa, when you come back to yourlittle Marian. " This was the child's own idea, and Miss Dorothycarried it out as well as she could. 

"Just think, " Marian said to Patty, "how much better I know my papa, and I shall keep on knowing him better and better. "

"Shall you show your grans the photographs, and the one of him?"asked Patty. 

"Yes, " returned Marian thoughtfully, "Miss Dorothy thinks I oughtto, and that I shall have to tell about my writing to him. I thinkgrandma will be glad, and maybe grandpa will be, too, though hewon't say so. "

Miss Dorothy overhearing this wise remark, smiled. She quitebelieved that both Mr. And Mrs. Otway would be glad. 

As the days were getting both colder and shorter Miss Dorothydecided that, for the present at least, she must give up coming homeevery week, and must wait till the Christmas holidays before seeingher family again. On the day she announced this she said also thatMrs. Otway had said that Marian had stayed away long enough. MissAlmira Belt was getting better and her sister could now help withthe sewing, especially as a niece was coming to help her, so asMarian needed a new frock she must come home the following Mondaywith Miss Dorothy. Mrs. Hunt had said she was longing for a sight ofher chickadee, Mr. Otway had remarked that it would be pleasant tohear a child's voice in the house once again, and so Marian must go. 

Patty was in tears at this news, and Marian herself looked verysorry. "Don't you want to go?" asked Miss Dorothy. "Tippy and Dippyare very anxious to see you and so is Rosamond. I saw her sitting inyour room all alone the other day, and she looked very forlorn. "Rosamond was Marian's big doll. "I told Ruth you were coming back, and she said: 'Good, good. Give my love to her and tell her I amcrazy to see her. I've had the whooping-cough and I'm not a bitafraid of her. ' Then, too, " Miss Dorothy bent her head andwhispered: "Some one who has the room next yours misses youvery much and longs for her little neighbor. "

Marian smiled at this, but at sight of Patty's tears grew graveagain. "If I could take Patty with me, " she said, "I should not mindit a bit. "

"Maybe Patty can come some time. Mrs. Hunt asked me to bring her andto let her make a little visit there at her house, so we will thinkof it later on. "

This was so pleasant a prospect that Patty brightened up, and thoughat parting she could not be comforted, Marian went away ratherhappier than she expected. There would be some excitement in gettingback. She would go to see Mrs. Hunt very often, and perhaps RuthDeering would come to see her, or her grandmother would let herspend an afternoon with Ruth sometimes. Mrs. Otway approved of Ruth, she remembered. But here the thought of Patty came up, and Marianrealized that no one could take Patty's place, dear, bright, funny, affectionate Patty, who had been so generous and loving, though shedid fly into a temper sometimes and say things she was sorry forafterward. She had tried to help Marian with her writing and hadencouraged her so that now Marian could form her letters very welland need not be ashamed when she went back to school. Then, too, Patty had pressed upon her a favorite book of fairy tales which theyhad read together and which had been the groundwork of manydelightful plays. Oh, no, there was nobody like Patty. 

Yet as Marian walked with Miss Dorothy up the familiar street, shefelt that it was not bad to get back again. There was Mrs. Huntwatching out for her at the gate, to give her a tremendous hug andmany kisses. There was Miss Hepzibah Toothacre, "pleasant as pie, "at the door to welcome back the child. "Here she is, " cried Heppy, and from his study rushed grandpa, from the sitting-room issuedgrandma, both eager to get to Marian first. "Heigho, heigho, littlegirl, " said grandpa, "it is good to get you back again. "

"Well, my dear, how are you? Come kiss grandma, " came from Mrs. Otway, and Marian, pleased and surprised, felt that home was notsuch a bad place after all. 

Then there were Dippy and Tippy, and also a surprise, for Heppymysteriously led the way to the wood-shed which was just outside thekitchen, and what should Marian see there but three new baby kittenswith Tippy proudly rubbing and purring around. Marian was on herknees before them in a minute, and had picked out the prettiest tocuddle. "Oh, if I might only keep this one, " she said, "and perhapswe could find homes for the others. "

"I guess Mis' Otway ain't goin' to allow three cats under foot, "said Heppy discouragingly. And indeed when Marian made her requestto keep one of the kittens she was straightway denied. 

"You may keep two cats, " said Mrs. Otway, "but no more will I have. If you choose to get rid of one of the larger ones and keep thelittle kitten I have no objection, but you will have to decide thatfor yourself. "

But here, as usual, Mrs. Hunt came to the rescue. "Now, chickadee, "she said, when Marian told her the dilemma she was in, "you just letme have that nice big gray cat of yours. Our house cat got so hewouldn't live anywhere but in the stable, and grew so wild that Iscarcely ever saw him; finally he went away altogether. You bringDippy here and then you can see him as often as you want to. "

Although Marian hated to give up Dippy, she knew he would have thebest of homes with Mrs. Hunt, and she did yearn so for the newkitten that she finally decided to turn Dippy over to her goodfriend. This seemed wise for more reasons than one, for his motherwas rather cross to him since her new family had arrived and soDippy settled down quite content to be petted and made much of byMrs. Hunt while Marian adopted the new kitten which she called Muff. As Tippy's real name was Tippet, she thought Muff and Tippet wentrather well together. One of the other kittens found a home withRuth Deering, but the third was still unprovided for. 

Lessons did not stop, although there was no Miss Emily to hear them. Miss Dorothy told Marian every day what her class would have thenext, and Mrs. Otway heard her granddaughter recite whenever shehad time; when she did not, Miss Dorothy gave up a half hour inthe evening to the child, so she managed to keep abreast with herschoolfellows and made great progress with her writing, now thatshe had more time for practice, and since the weather housed hermore than formerly. 

The photographs were sent off a good three weeks before Christmas, and a duplicate set was made for the grans as well as one for Mrs. Hunt. "For, " said Marian, "if the grans don't care about Christmasgifts, I do, and I like to give. "

As for Miss Dorothy and Patty, Marian was at her wits' end to knowwhat to bestow upon them. She consulted Miss Dorothy as to Patty. "Miss Dorothy, " she said, "I shall be very unhappy if I can't givePatty a Christmas gift, and I haven't a thing in the world she wouldlike. "

Miss Dorothy, who was busy with some fancy work for Christmas, didnot reply for a moment and Marian could see that she had on herthinking cap. "Yes, you have something, " presently said MissDorothy, "you have the third kitten. "

"Oh, Miss Dorothy, do you think she would like him?"

"I am sure she would be delighted. "

"But won't the dogs eat him up?"

"No, they're not allowed in the house and Jip is so intelligent thatshe will understand that neither she nor her puppies must touch thekitten. "

"How will I get the kitten to her?"

"I can take it in a basket when I go home for the holidays. "

"You always do what I hope you will, " confessed Marian. "If all thethank-yous I feel were piled up they would reach to the skies. "

"I am sure, " laughed Miss Dorothy, "nothing could express yourgratitude more perfectly. What shall you name the kitten? I think itwould please Patty if he came to her with a name already attached tohim, a name that you had given him. "

Marian sat thinking, then she smiled and her smile grew broader andbroader till she broke out with: "I know what to call him; PrincePuff, and I will tell her that he is the fat toad in a new form; heis still under enchantment. "

Miss Dorothy laughed, for she knew all about the play under the bigtree near the factory. "I think that would please Patty mightily, "she told Marian. 

"And, isn't it funny, " Marian went on, "his name rhymes with Muff. Patty will like that, too. She likes us to have things alike, so Iwill have Muff and she will have Puff, Muff's brother. I am sorelieved to have Patty's present all settled. "

But for her beloved Miss Dorothy there was still nothing, so Marianracked her brains to devise some gift. At last she decided thatnothing was too good for one she loved so well, and that as the mostprecious thing she possessed was her father's photograph she mustgive that to her teacher. So, just before Miss Dorothy took herdeparture for the holidays she went to her to slip a small packagein her hand. On the outside was written: "I am giving you thisbecause I love you so much. A Merry Christmas from Marian. " "Youmustn't open it till Christmas day, " she said earnestly. 

"I will not, " Miss Dorothy assured her. "Thank you now, dearie, forI am sure whatever it is I shall be pleased to have it. I wish youwere going to spend the day with us. "

"I wish so, too, but grandma said I had already been at Revell longenough to wear out my welcome. "

"I didn't see a sign of its being threadbare when you came away, "Miss Dorothy told her. "Now, have we Puff all safe?"

"Yes, he is asleep in his basket. You won't forget to tie the cardaround his neck with the red ribbon. "

"No, I'll not forget. You must be sure to look on the inside knob ofmy clothes-press door the first thing Christmas morning. "

"I won't forget that. I think it is fine to have a secret waiting inthere for me. "

"Here is the key. I know I can trust you not to open it till then. "

"Indeed you can trust me. "

"I am sure of it. Now give me a good hug and a kiss for Patty, for Imust be off. "

Marian needed no second bidding, and in a few minutes was watchingMiss Dorothy go down the street carrying the basket that held Puff, and walking swiftly to catch her train. There were big tears inMarian's eyes as she turned from the window, for it seemed as ifthe sunshine had faded away with Miss Dorothy's going, and thatChristmas would be only a gray every-day sort of time with no Pattyto make it merry, and no Miss Dorothy to add to its cheer. 

However, when her grandmother called her it was to do rather aninteresting thing, for a Christmas box for the poor minister of adistant parish was to be packed, and Marian enjoyed handing hergrandmother the articles to be put in and to talk over them. Grandmaknew the circumstances of the family to whom the box was going andthat there was a little girl somewhat younger than Marian to whomher out-grown clothes would go. Marian thought she would haveenjoyed sending something more personal, and said so. 

"Is there nothing you can make a sacrifice of, my child?" asked hergrandmother solemnly. "Christmas is the time for that, you know. Our Lord gave His best to us and that is why we also give. "

Marian turned over in her mind her various possessions. She simplycould not give up Patty Wee after all the dangers she had beenthrough, neither could she part with her big doll, for that had beenAnnie Hunt's, and had been given to herself only because Annie'smother was so fond of Ralph Otway's daughter. Muff was out of thequestion for he would smother in that box. But there were the paperdolls Miss Emily had made. She could give them. So she wentup-stairs, took out the envelope which contained these treasures, softly kissed each painted face and said, "You are going to a newhome, my dears, and I hope you will like it. Good-bye, Mr. GuyMannering, good-bye, Mrs. Mannering, good-bye, little baby. " Sheput them all back in the envelope and carried it down-stairs. "I amgoing to send these to Mary Eliza, " she said steadily. "They are thepaper dolls Miss Emily made me. "

"That is my good girl, " said her grandmother. "Your gift will comeback to you in some other form, some day. I am much pleased thatmy little granddaughter is so disposed to be generous with thebounties the Lord has bestowed upon her. " And Marian really feltquite light-hearted the rest of the day. 

Her spirits, too, were further lightened that afternoon when she wasmade the special messenger to carry to Miss Almira Belt the verylavender and white wrapper which she and Patty had picked out thatday when they were doing the make-believe shopping. Marian, ofcourse, told Mrs. Hunt all about it, and as one of the Guild whichlooked after such things, it had been voted to give Miss Almira somesuch present, and Mrs. Hunt had gone with Mrs. Perkins to select it. They had all agreed that Marian's choice was such a good one that itmust be bought if possible, and fortunately Mrs. Hunt was able toget the very wrapper she wanted. On account of Marian's part in thematter she was asked to carry the gift to Miss Almira, and thus oneof her make-believes actually came true. 

_CHAPTER XII_

_The Christmas Tree_

Christmas morning Marian awoke very early. She slipped out of bedand went to the window. A few stars were still in the sky, thoughthe gray dawn was stealing up the land. In a few minutes the churchbells pealed out upon the wintry air. Marian folded her hands andthought of the shepherds and the wise men, the little infant Jesusin the manger and all the rest of the beautiful story. But it wascold by the window and she determined to get back into bed till sheshould be called. Then she suddenly remembered that this was "firstthing in the morning" and that she need not wait to open MissDorothy's locked clothes-press. She could find out what was there. 

So she softly struck a match, lighted her candle and tiptoed acrossthe floor, first taking the key from its place on the mantel. For amoment a wild hope came to her that it might be a Christmas tree, alittle one, behind that locked door, but that idea faded away forshe remembered that Miss Dorothy had said, "I would like to set up aChristmas tree for you, dearie, but it is your grandma's house and Iwould not have the right to do it if she disapproves, " and so itcould not possibly be a Christmas tree. 

She set down her candle, unlocked the door and felt for what shouldhang on the knob inside. As she did so she smothered a little cryof delight for her hand grasped a well-filled stocking. Quicklyunfastening it, she skurried back to her room with the treasure. Inanother moment she was snuggled down under the warm covers examiningthe contents of her stocking. It held all the foolish and pleasantthings which such stockings usually hold, and to these were addedsundry little gifts. A note pinned on the outside read:

 "DEAREST MARIAN:

 "I hope you will like your stocking. It is exactly such as Patty will have, and I know you will be pleased to have it so. A Merry Christmas from all of us at Revell. 

 "Lovingly yours, "DOROTHY ROBBINS. "

A stocking just like Patty's! What joy! Perhaps at that very momentPatty was looking at hers. It was so delightful to open the smallpackages, to find a beautiful paper-doll from Miss Emily, a funnycheap toy from each of the boys: a silly monkey, a quacking duck anda jumping jack; a little fairy tale book from Patty, and oh, wonder!the Roman sash from Miss Dorothy. Even Mr. Robbins and Aunt Barbarahad contributed, the former a little purse with a ten cent piece init, and the latter a box of her famous nut candy. Surely never was astocking more appreciated and more gloated over. 

It was broad daylight and her grandmother was calling her beforePatty realized that her candle had burned down to its socket andthat it was time to get up. She huddled her gifts back into thestocking and hurried to get bathed and dressed, for a day beginningso delightfully must surely have more happiness in it. And indeedthis did seem to be so, for though her presents from hergrandparents were, as usual, useful, among them was a set of furs, just what Marian had longed for since she saw Patty's, and therewas also a little typewriter for her very self from her grandpa. Marian's mustard seeds were surely doing their work. 

There were buckwheat cakes for breakfast, too, and Heppy beckonedMarian to the kitchen afterward. A row of mince pies stood on thetable, and at the end of the row was a little scalloped one, "foryou, " said Heppy. There was a pair of queerly shaped figures, too, among the ginger-snaps. Heppy gave a funny chuckle as she pickedthem out. "I guess nobody'd know what they're intended for, " shesaid. "I guess I won't go into the sculping business, for I findI'm no hand at making figgers. "

But Marian was as delighted with these as if they had been perfectand bore them with the rest of her things to show Mrs. Hunt. 

Her grans had smiled indulgently when she showed her stocking, but had not seemed to think very much of it. Mrs. Otway said shesupposed Miss Dorothy had paid a pretty penny for the sash, and itwas more than she ought to have done. Mr. Otway thought Marian mustbe too big a girl to care for jumping-jacks and such foolishness, but that was the most that was said. 

One of the events of Christmas day had always been the visit toMrs. Hunt, for this usually meant the best of the day's doings, andMarian was always in a hurry to get off, but this time she was notin such haste, for she liked to linger over her delightful stocking, and enjoyed trying her typewriter while her grandfather showed herhow to use it. So it was not till her elders set out for church thatshe was ready. Her cough shut her out of any churchgoing for awhile, but she begged to wear her new furs to show Mrs. Hunt, andwas given consent. 

The church bells were all ringing as she entered Mrs. Hunt's door. "I thought you wouldn't get here at all, " said Mrs. Hunt in responseto Marian's "Merry Christmas!" "I was getting real anxious aboutyou. Come right in out of the cold. What made you so late, chickadee?"

"Because it has been such a glad morning, " Marian answered. "I don'tcare anything about moving mountains any more, though it would havebeen nice to have a tree, too. "

"It would, would it? Well, I don't know. Is that for me?" as Marianpresented the book of photographs. "Well, I declare, isn't that youall over? This is a Christmas gift worth having. What a Miss Dorothyit is. Come, kiss me, dearie, you couldn't have given me anything Ilike better. Now tell me what has made you so glad. "

Then Marian displayed her stocking and her furs, and was describingher typewriter when Mrs. Hunt said: "Then I suppose you won't careabout what I have for you. "

"Oh, Auntie Hunt, you know I always care, " returned Marianreproachfully. "I never had a Christmas stocking before, andI did so want furs. "

"Bless her dear heart! Auntie Hunt was only teasing you a little. Well, I don't believe what I have will wait much longer, so perhapswe'd better go look at it. " And she led the way to the parlor. 

Marian wondered at this, for she was not such a stranger as to betaken there even upon such a day as Christmas. What could Mrs. Hunthave in there that she couldn't bring into the sitting-room? She hadalways had Marian's present and her little basket of goodies set ona side table and why must they be in the parlor to-day? Shewondered, too, why Mrs. Hunt fumbled at the door-knob and rattledit a little before she went in, but when she saw at the end of theroom a bright and dazzling Christmas tree, she forgot all else. Itwas such a glittering, shining affair, all wonderful ornaments andgleaming tinsel, and was a joy to look upon, from the flying angelat the tip-top to the group of sheep on a mossy pasture at the foot. The impossible had happened. Faith and works had triumphed. Themight of the mustard seed's strength had been proved, and Mariandropped on her knees before the marvelous vision. "Oh, I am sohappy, Lord. I am so much obliged to you for your loving-kindness, "she breathed. 

"That's just like her, " said Mrs. Hunt nodding her head as if tosome one behind her. "You are pleased, aren't you, chickadee? Well, now, who do you think gave you all those pretty things? Mr. Hunt cutthe tree and brought the moss, I'm ready to confess. I helped withthe trimming, but who did the rest?"

"Miss Dorothy, " promptly replied Marian. 

Mrs. Hunt shook her head. "Wrong guess, " she said laughing. "Standright there and shut your eyes while I count ten, then see if youcan make a better guess. "

Marian did as she was told, squeezing her eyes tight together lestshe should be tempted to peep at the tree. As "ten" fell from Mrs. Hunt's lips her eyes opened, not upon the tree, for between her andit stood the figure of a tall man who held out his arms to her. Marian stood stock still in amazed wonder, gazing at him fixedly, then in a voice that rang through the room she cried: "Papa! Papa!"and in an instant his arms were around her and she was fairlysobbing on his breast. 

"It's almost more than the child can bear, " murmured Mrs. Huntwiping her eyes. "I don't know that it was right to surprise herso. Maybe it would have been better to prepare her. " But Marianwas herself in a little while, ready to hear how this wonderfulthing happened. 

"It was all on account of that little book of photographs, " herfather told her. "My longing to see my dear little daughter grewstronger and stronger as I turned over the pages, and when I came tothe last picture I simply could not stand it. I rushed out, lookedup the next sailing, and found I could make a steamer sailing fromBremen the next morning, and before night I was on my way to thatcity. I found I had a couple of hours to spare in Bremen, and Iremembered that my little girl had said that she had never had aChristmas tree, so I went up town, bought a jumble of Christmastoys, and took them to the steamer with me. I reached here lastnight, and my dear old friend Mrs. Hunt took me in. Between us allwe set up the Christmas tree, and arranged the surprise. I felt asif I could not spend another Christmas day away from my dear littledaughter when she wanted me so much. Do you think they will let mein at the brick house, Marian?" he asked holding her close. 

"I am sure they will, " she answered with conviction. "I've found outthat nobody is as cross inside as they seem outside. Even Heppy isjust like a bear sometimes, but she has the most kind thinkings whenyou get at them. "

It was hard to leave the beautiful tree, but even that was not sogreat and splendid a thing as this home-coming of Marian's father, and when the churchgoers had all gone by, the two went up streettogether, hand in hand. At the door of the brick house they paused. 

"Tell them I am here and ask them if I may come in, Marian, " saidher father, as he stood on the steps. 

Marian went in, and entered the sitting-room. Her grandmother wastaking off her bonnet. "It was a good sermon, my dear, " she wassaying to her husband. "Peace and good-will to all men, not tosome, but to all, our own first. " She smoothed out her glovesthoughtfully. "Eight years, " she murmured, "eight years. "

Marian stood in the doorway. "Papa has come, " she said simply. "Heis on the door-step, but he won't come in till you say he may. "

With a trembling little cry her grandmother ran to the door. Mr. Otway grasped the back of the chair behind which he was standing. His head was bowed and he was white to the lips. "Tell him to comein, " he said. 

Marian ran out to see her grandmother, her grave, quiet, dignifiedgrandmother, sobbing in her son's arms, and he kissing her bowedhead and murmuring loving words to her. 

"Grandpa says please come in, " said Marian giving the message withadded politeness, and with one arm around his mother and the othergrasping Marian's hand, Ralph Otway entered his father's house tomeet the hand clasp of one who for more than eight years hadforbidden him entrance. 

The remainder of Marian's day was spent in making visits to Mrs. Hunt's parlor and to her grandmother's sitting-room. When thegrown-ups' talk began to grow uninteresting and herself unnoticedshe would slip away to gloat over the Christmas tree, then when shehad firmly fixed in her mind just what hung on this side and onthat, she would go back to the sitting-room to nestle down by herfather, or to turn over the contents of her stocking. 

It was during this process that she heard part of a conversationwhich interested her very much. "Herbert Robbins wrote me notlong ago to ask if I could suggest a fitting man for one of theengineering departments of the college, " said Grandpa Otway. "I toldhim I would consider the matter, and if any one occurred to me Iwould let him know. How would you like the work, Ralph?" he went onin his measured tones. "Revell is not far away; it is a progressivecollege in a pleasant community. "

Marian laid down her stocking and came nearer. 

"I should like to look into the matter, " said her fatherthoughtfully. 

"I would advise your seeing Robbins, " said his father. "He can giveyou the particulars. " Then he added somewhat hesitatingly, "I shouldlike--I should be pleased to have my son one of the faculty of myown college. "

Marian's father looked up brightly. "Thank you, father; that settlesit. If it is as good a thing as now appears I shall not hesitate toaccept if I am given the opportunity. "

"Are you going to see Patty?" whispered Marian, "and couldn't I go, too?"

Her father looked down at her with a smile. "I'd like you to go ifyour grandmother is willing. "

Therefore before the holidays were over Marian had the pleasure ofshowing off her new furs as well as her dear papa to Patty and therest of the Robbinses, and before she came back it was settled thather father was to go to Revell to live. Beyond that nothing of muchconsequence was decided at that time. 

Patty and Marian were jubilant over the arrangement. "Perhaps youwill come here to live some day, " Patty said to her friend. 

"I wish I could, " said Marian. "Do you think papa will need me morethan the grans, Patty?"

"Of course, " returned Patty, "for your grandfather has a wife totake care of him and she has a husband, and it isn't fair theyshould have you, too; besides a father is a nearer relation than agrandfather, so of course he has a right to you. " And this quitesettled it in Marian's opinion. 

The little girls had two happy days together when Marian enjoyedPatty's tree and her Christmas gifts only in a little less degreethan her own. She was pleased to find that Puff was already a greatpet, and that Patty had all sorts of mysterious things to tell abouthim; of how he would steal out at night and become a real princebetween midnight and dawn, and of how Miggy Wig had deserted thecave and was no longer a doll, but that she had worked herenchantments only so far as to turn Puff from a toad into a kittenduring the day, so the little cat did actually appear to be morethan an ordinary animal to both children. 

It took only a short time for Marian and her father to become greatchums, and they had many good times together sharing many secretswhich they did not tell the grans. 

Miss Dorothy did not go home very often during the winter, so onSaturdays and Sundays when her father came home from Revell, Mariantook many pleasant walks with the two. Sometimes they made anexcursion to the city, when real shopping took the place ofmake-believes. 

Marian went back to school after the holidays and never failed tostop every day to see Mrs. Hunt. It was in the spring that shelearned from this good friend that her father did not tell her allhis secrets, for one day when they were talking of that happyChristmas day Marian said, "What do you suppose Miss Dorothy didwith the Christmas gift I gave her? I have never seen it anywhereand she has never said a word about it. "

"What was it?" asked Mrs. Hunt. 

"The photograph of papa that he sent me. I wanted to give hersomething very precious and that was the best thing I had. "

To Marian's surprise Mrs. Hunt threw back her head and laughed tillthe tears came, though Marian could not see that she had saidanything very funny. 

When Mrs. Hunt had wiped her eyes she remarked: "We shall miss MissDorothy next year. "

"Why, isn't she coming back to teach?" asked Marian in dismay. 

Mrs. Hunt shook her head. 

"Oh, why not?"

"Ask your papa; he knows, " said Mrs. Hunt laughing again. 

But before Marian had a chance to do this, Patty came to make Mrs. Hunt the long-promised visit, and it was Patty who guessed thesecret. "Did you know that Miss Dorothy is not coming back here nextyear?" was one of Marian's first questions. 

Patty nodded. "I heard her say so to Emily. "

"Then you will have her and I shall not, " returned Marian jealously. 

"Oh, yes, I think you will have her as much as I, " returned Patty, "for she is making all sorts of pretty things and I think she isgoing to be married. "

"Be married?" Such a possibility had never occurred to Marian. "Oh, dear, " she began, then she brightened up as she thought perhaps itmight be the new rector Miss Dorothy was going to marry; in thatcase she would be living in Greenville. She remembered that theyoung man often walked home with her teacher. It would be a verynice arrangement, Marian thought. "Is she going to live inGreenville?" she asked, feeling her way. 

"No, " Patty laughed. "I don't think so. "

Then perhaps the young rector was going to another town. "Has shetold you where she is going to live and who she is going to marry?"asked Marian coming straight to the point. 

"No, but I know she is going to live in Revell, and I hear her andEmily talk, talk, talk about some one named Ralph. " Patty put herhand over her mouth, and looked at Marian with laughing eyes. 

"Why--why----" Marian looked at Patty for further enlightenment, butPatty was only laughing. "Why, that's my papa's name, " said Marian. 

Patty nodded. "That's just who I think it is. " And that wasprecisely who it was.