a fresh toilet.

"Now, do I look a fright?" Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie
downstairs.

"Well, I can't say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly
don't look any better. Your nose looks swelled. Shouldn't wonder if you had
it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks? Hurry up, and come along. We
have apple dumplings for dinner to-day. Do you like milk or sauce on them
best?"

Dexie did not answer; something of more consequence than dumplings was
troubling her just then, and as she followed Elsie into the front hall, she
was tenderly feeling her nose and mentally comparing it with its usual
proportions, inwardly calling herself all sorts of hard names for being so
silly.

"But I won't whistle to-night, so there!" she kept saying to herself, as if
she needed to keep her determination constantly before herself in order to
back it up.

Elsie rushed up the stairs at once, eager to enjoy the delights that an
English box always contained; but for once Dexie's interest was centred in
herself. Her nose could not be forgotten; in fact, she was trying to reduce
its proportions by pressing it between her thumb and finger. She wondered
if the rest of the family would notice it and make remarks thereon. Lancy
would be sure to know at once that something was wrong; but she would keep
out of sight, for she would _not_ whistle; no, indeed.

"Oh, Dexie, how you do poke along!" Elsie remarked from the top of the
stairs. "I declare, you are enough to try the patience of a Job. Come
along, or I'll rush into the room first, manners or no manners; then mother
will be displeased."

Dexie was up the few remaining steps before Elsie had finished speaking.
She was just as anxious to see the English presents as if half of them were
meant for herself. Her swelled nose was instantly forgotten, and she passed
through the door that Elsie held open for her, and was soon bending over
the treasures with the rest. The room was soon in confusion, as dress
patterns, laces, ribbons, gloves and fans, and trinkets in endless variety
were strewn over bed, table and chairs. The swelled nose could not hide the
beautiful things laid out for her admiring eyes, and she watched with
smiling face as Elsie adorned herself with finery without regard to number
or suitability.

"Oh, what a fine Indian brave am I!" sang Elsie as she danced before the
mirror, her arms adorned with three sets of bracelets, and her neck
encircled with