idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she
brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in
some way."

"Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also. She is quite
as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you
will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker
will do what is necessary."

"Then the trouble may be considered over," said she, with a relieved sigh.

"I will run into Mrs. Gurney's myself, and see what I can do for the
general good. How nice it is to have _real_ friends so near!" she added,
as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room.

In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she
came through the hall called, "Dexie, Dexie, where are you?"

Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying: "She is up in her room, Elsie; run
right up."

Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the
basin, and began to bathe her face. Her head was bent over the basin when
Elsie entered the room.

"Oh, here you are! What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of
day?" was the matter-of-fact greeting. "You are to hurry up and come into
our house and stay to dinner. Mother said you are allowed, so you needn't
stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from
England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery. You know we
always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed
somehow," and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in
the brimming hands. "There is always something for everyone of us in the
box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn't so dirty that it needs soaking, I
hope."

"Well, hardly," was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to
recover her composure; "but I may as well tell you before you find it out
yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not
so easy to get rid of. Now, you needn't ask what's up, for I don't intend
to tell you."

"Pshaw! who cares about your pouts? Not I, anyway," was the reply, in a
high and mighty tone. "Come along, if you're coming, and if you're not,
then stay home. I can't wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me."

This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from
the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie
to keep her waiting, while she made