never saw such a sight. So
somehow in my fluster I left the iron on the dress. I can't think how
I ever came to do such a thing."

Caroline looked from the burnt front breadth to Mrs. Creddle's agitated
face and said nothing. Her disappointment was so great that she must
have "told Aunt Creddle off" if she had opened her lips, and she did
not want to do that, because she could see the poor woman was
distressed enough already.

"Oh, well; never fret!" she managed to say at last. "Plenty more
dances before I'm dead. We won't make a trouble about this one."

"But I do," said Mrs. Creddle, dissolving into tears at this kindly
address. "Me--that always wants you to enjoy yourself while you
can--to have gone and spoilt your only party dress! I could hit
myself, I could, if it would do any good."

Upon this little Winnie, still tearful from past sorrows, began to cry
loudly again. "You shan't hit yourself, Mummy. I won't let you hit
yourself."

"Here!" said Caroline, putting a parcel down on the table. "I got some
kippers as I came past the fish shop. I know Uncle Creddle fancies one
with his tea."

"You shouldn't have done that, Carrie," said Mrs. Creddle, wiping her
eyes. "Kippers is dear nowadays, and I'm sure you have plenty to do
with your money."

"Nonsense!" said Caroline. "I'm rolling in riches. You see my keep
costs me nothing, and I have all I earn to spend." She went towards
the door, saying over her shoulder: "Now, don't you worry about the
dress. I can easily get another, and you may cut this up into a Sunday
frock for Winnie."

"That I never shall----" began Mrs. Creddle: then her round face became
suddenly illuminated. "Why, yes, so I will. And then you can have the
one Miss Temple gave me to make into something for the children. It's
a queer sort of colour--neither red nor yellow--but it looks all right
by night. She said Mr. Wilson didn't like to see her in it. Of
course, she's bigger than you, but they wear things so short and loose
nowadays that I dare say if I hem the bottom up it will be all right.
My word, I am glad I thought of it. I hate keeping you away from the
dance."

Caroline paused on the threshold. "I don't like wearing other people's
clothes," she said doubtfully.

"No; but Miss Temple's different. She gives things with such a good
heart and she never talks about what she does. I can't see that you
need mind her," urged Mrs. Creddle. "There's no time to g