a child earned
her keep, Hen earns hers."

Jessie asked about the missing cousin, Bertha.

"Bertha Blair. Yes. A good and capable girl. Was out at service when
Hen's mother died and left her to me. Something's wrong with Bertha,
or she surely would have come here to see Hen before this."

"Did Bertha Blair work for a woman named Poole?" Jessie asked.

"That I couldn't tell you, Miss. But you take Hen up to see your
father, like you say you want to. The child's as sharp as a steel
knife. Maybe she'll think of something that will put him on the trace
of Bertha."

So they bore Spotted Snake away with them in the canoe, while the
Dogtown gang shrieked farewells from the old landing. Henrietta had
been dressed in a clean slip and the smartest hair ribbon she owned.
But she had no shoes and stockings, those being considered unnecessary
at Dogtown.

"I believe Nell could help us find something better for this child to
wear," Amy observed, with more thoughtfulness than she usually
displayed. "What do you think, Jess? Folks are always giving the
Stanleys half-worn clothes for little Sally, more than Sally can ever
make use of. And Hen is just about Sally Stanley's size."

"That might be arranged," agreed Jessie. "I guess you'd like to have a
new dress, wouldn't you, Henrietta?"

"Oh, my yes! I know just what I would like," sighed Henrietta,
clasping her clawlike hands. "You've seen them cape-suits that's come
into fashion this year, ain't you? _That's_ what I'd like."

"My dear!" gasped Amy explosively.

"I don't mind going barefooted," said Henrietta. "But if I could just
have _one_ dress in style! I expect you two girls wear lots of stylish
things when you ain't wearing sweaters and overall-pants like you did
the other day. I never had anything stylish in my life."

Amy burst into delighted giggles, but Jessie said:

"The poor little thing! There is a lot in that. How should we like to
wear nothing but second-hand clothes?"

"'Hand me downs'," giggled Amy. "But mind you! A cape-coat suit! Can
you beat it?"

"I saw pictures of 'em in a fashion book Mrs. McGuire sent for," went
on Henrietta. "They are awful taking."

Little Henrietta proved to be an interesting specimen for the Norwood
family that evening. Momsy took her wonted interest in so appealing a
child. The serving people were curious and attentive. Mr. Norwood
confessed that he was much amused by the young visitor.

A big dictionary placed in an arm