an
flowers, but who would go with her to get them? Zenobia was busy, and
Emma was taking care of the General, who had had an attack of croup.

As she stood there Mark came up the walk and lifted his hat to her.
"Perhaps he will take me," she said, and running into the hall she
called from the head of the stairs: "Mark, are you very busy? Could you
do something for me?"

"I am at your ladyship's command," was the reply.

"Then I'll come down and tell you, for it is a secret."

"Is it? Well, I'm splendid at keeping secrets."

Descending, Frances stated the case, and Mark not only said he would be
glad to go with her, but he knew a place where she could get flowers
much cheaper than down town.

"I'm so much obliged to you, and now I must ask mother if I can go,"
Frances said. "I can say you _want_ me to go, can't I? It will be true,
won't it?" she stopped halfway up the steps to inquire.

"Nothing could be truer," said Mark, laughing.

It did not take long to get her mother's permission, and in a very few
minutes she came flying down to join her escort at the door.

As they walked up the street, talking merrily, more than one passer-by
smiled at the pleasant sight, and turned to look again at the tall boy
and the bright-eyed little girl.

In these two weeks they had come to be great friends. Frances rather
enjoyed his teasing ways, which so alarmed Emma, and had always a saucy
reply of some sort ready. She liked to be called your ladyship, and
accepted his mock homage with a most regal air.

"What kind of flowers are you going to buy?" Mark asked.

"Violets, I think, because mother is specially fond of them."

"Aren't they rather expensive?"

"I don't know. I have two dollars; won't that be enough?" she asked
anxiously.

"Dear me, I had no idea you were so rich! Are you going to spend all
that?"

"I don't think that is too much to spend on your mother," she replied
with emphasis.

"Certainly not, I wasn't objecting in the least."

"No, it wouldn't do any good," she asserted with dignity.

Mark laughed, and inquired what flowers she liked best herself.

"Great big red roses," was the prompt answer.

"Commend me to a princess for extravagant tastes!" Mark exclaimed,
laughing.

The greenhouse was an enchanting place, and after the violets were
ordered Frances wandered up and down the fragrant aisles, quite
unwilling to leave. Mark at length grew impatient. "I am afraid it is
going to storm; we mus