er walk, at least
part of the way. We started up Chestnut Street. What a wonderful place
that is! Such lovely stores I've never seen. I'm going to sneak away
some day and visit every one that has women's belongings for sale. And
the clothes I saw on Chestnut Street--on the women, I mean! My own
wardrobe certainly is plain and ordinary compared with the things I saw
women wear to-day. I couldn't help saying to Mr. Lee, "What lovely
clothes Philadelphia women wear!" He smiled that wonderful smile and
said, "Miss Metz, a diamond has no need of a glittering case, it has
sufficient brilliancy itself." I caught his meaning, I couldn't help
it--he meant me! Now I know I'm no beauty, but perhaps if I had clothes
like those I saw to-day I'd be more attractive. I wonder if I'll get
them; they must cost lots of money.

As we walked along Mr. Lee told me he knows I'll have a wonderful year
in the city, and that he is going to help it be the gladdest, merriest
one I've ever had.

"Oh, you're good," I said.

"It must be that goodness inspires goodness," he replied.

I didn't know what to answer. Men up home never say such things, at
least I never heard them. Phares couldn't think of such things to say
and David never made a "pretty speech" in his life. I know he thinks
nice things about me sometimes but he wouldn't word them like Royal Lee
does. I didn't want Mr. Lee to think I'm uncommonly good, I told him I'm
not.

"Not good?" He laughed at the idea. "Why, you are just a sweet, lovely
young thing knowing nothing of evil."

"Oh!" I said, feeling stupid before him, "you're too polite! I never
met any one like you. But I want to ask you about cards, playing cards.
I can't see that they are wrong but Aunt Maria and my father and all my
friends up home think they are wicked. Aunt Maria would rather part with
her right hand than play a game of cards."

Mr. Lee laughed and said he's surprised that I am willing to accept the
beliefs of others; can't I decide for myself what is wrong or right? Did
I want to be narrow and goody-goody?

Of course I don't want to be like that, and I told him so.

He laughed again, a low, soft laugh. I never heard a man laugh like that
before. When daddy laughs he laughs out loud, the kind of laugh you join
in when you hear it. And David laughs like that too, a merry laugh that
sounds, as he says, like it's coming clean from his boots. But Mr. Lee's
laugh is different. I don't like it as well as the