n doing
kindnesses for other people.

"If ever I marry," sentimental Jessica was thinking, "I hope it will be
somebody like Mrs. Gray's husband."

"I should like to have a brother like Tom Gray," observed Grace aloud.

"Well," said Mrs. Gray, "we shall have to wait and see what the new Tom
Gray is like. He may be utterly unlike _my_ Tom Gray."

And the old lady sighed.

"We shall all have to get new party dresses," exclaimed Nora to change
the subject. "I have been wanting one for an age and now I have a good
excuse."

"Oh, yes," cried Grace enthusiastically. "Now, at last, I shall be able
to get the blue silk mother promised I could have if at any time there
was an occasion worthy of it."

"I'm going to ask papa to give me a lavender crepe for a Christmas
present," said Jessica.

"O Mrs. Gray," continued Nora, "we are going to have such fun Oakdale
can't hold us."

"I think we should have a surprise for Mrs. Gray," announced Grace. "She
is doing so much for us. O girls! I have an idea."

"What!" demanded the others breathlessly, including Mrs. Gray herself,
who was as full of curiosity as a young girl.

"No, no," cried Grace, "it wouldn't be a surprise if I gave it away. But
it's going to require a lot of work and planning to carry it out."

"Is it big or little?" asked the dainty old lady as eager as a child to
find out the secret.

"It's rather small," answered Grace.

"Fine or superfine?"

"Both," laughed Grace. "But you'll not know till Christmas night; so
stifle your curiosity."

"I suppose I must wait, but it's going to be very hard," replied Mrs.
Gray plaintively.

And so the party was arranged. Notes, written by Anne, were dispatched
to the four boys; plans were discussed for the week's amusements, and
the four girls finally started home in a state of great excitement to
look over their wardrobes and furbish up their party dresses.

Only Anne had looked somewhat dubious during the conversation. How could
she spend a week in a beautiful house, with parties every night and
company all the time, and nothing to wear but that hideous black silk?

"Anne," called Mrs. Gray, as the young girl was about to close the front
door and follow the others down the steps. "Wait a moment. I want to see
you." She led Anne into the big drawing room. "Do you know that I am
greatly in your debt, my child?" continued the old lady, as she drew
Anne down beside her on the sofa. "I don't think I could ever possi