ase with the price of the berries, and
then go home and make.

A whole long day she had to herself, for Kate and her stepmother were gone
up to the neighboring town on the packet to make a few last purchases.

She had told no one of her plans, and was awake betimes in the morning to
see the travellers off, eager to have them gone that she might begin to
carry out her plan.

Just at the edge of the village Marcia put down the pails of berries by a
large flat stone and sat down for a moment to tidy herself. The lacing of
one shoe had come untied, and her hair was rumpled by exercise. But she
could not sit long to rest, and taking up her burdens was soon upon the
way again.

Mary Ann Fothergill stepped from her own gate lingering till Marcia should
come up, and the two girls walked along side by side. Mary Ann had stiff,
straight, light hair, and high cheek bones. Her eyes were light and her
eyelashes almost white. They did not show up well beneath her checked
sunbonnet. Her complexion was dull and tanned. She was a contrast to
Marcia with her clear red and white skin. She was tall and awkward and
wore a linsey-woolsey frock as though it were a meal sack temporarily
appropriated. She had the air of always trying to hide her feet and hands.
Mary Ann had some fine qualities, but beauty was not one of them. Beside
her Marcia's delicate features showed clear-cut like a cameo, and her
every movement spoke of patrician blood.

Mary Ann regarded Marcia's smooth brown braids enviously. Her own sparse
hair barely reached to her shoulders, and straggled about her neck
helplessly and hopelessly, in spite of her constant efforts.

"It must be lots of fun at your house these days," said Mary Ann
wistfully. "Are you most ready for the wedding?"

Marcia nodded. Her eyes were bright. She could see the sign of the village
store just ahead and knew the bolts of new chintz were displaying their
charms in the window.

"My, but your cheeks do look pretty," admired Mary Ann impulsively. "Say,
how many of each has your sister got?"

"Two dozens," said Marcia conscious of a little swelling of pride in her
breast. It was not every girl that had such a setting out as her sister.

"My!" sighed Mary Ann. "And outside things, too. I 'spose she's got one of
every color. What are her frocks? Tell me about them. I've been up to
Dutchess county and just got back last night, but Ma wrote Aunt Tilly that
Mis' Hotchkiss said her frocks was the pre