suppose she took it out again to get her watch."

"No, she didn't; here's her watch," said Dotty, swinging open one of the
little drawers.

"That's her other watch, Dotty. She says it needs mending."

"Then I'm going to wear it; it is just as good for a lady boarder, as a
whole one."

"Don't, Dotty; that's the watch Uncle Augustus gave her when they were
married, and she thinks the world of it."

"Well, he gave her the other one too--didn't he?"

"Yes; last Christmas: don't you know how she found it in an orange?"

"O, I remember. And she ought to think the most of that one, Prudy,
because she loves him better now than she did when he gave her this
one; ever so much better."

"It's of no consequence to you if she does, or if she doesn't, Dotty
Dimple. What right have you with that cabinet, I _should_ like to know?
Shut it right up this minute. O please do, Dotty."

Dotty's contrary spirit began to rise. She opened every one of the
drawers, and poured out the glittering jewels. Of course Fly was on the
spot in a twinkling; but Prudy caught her, and playfully pinned her
little arms down to her sides; so her prying fingers had no chance to do
mischief.

"Didn't auntie tell us to dress up in her old finery?" said Dotty,
thrusting the watch into her girdle.

"Old finery, Dotty Dimple!"

"And isn't this old? 'You're welcome to whatever you can find;' that
was just the words she said, Prudy Parlin."

"O, how many ways there are for people to do wrong if they want to!"
cried Prudy, in despair. "When you _do_ get started, Dotty--Will you, or
will you not, put up those things? If you don't, it's my duty to call
Horace, and--"

"_'Fore_ I'd be a tell-tale!" said Dotty, slipping off half a dozen
rings in haste. "There, I won't wear but just two--one on each thumb.
Who wants the old watch? Tick's all out of it. You don't know, Prudy,
how tight those rings fit. I could wear 'em on my forefinger, but I
shan't, you make such a fuss."

Prudy answered by a look of unutterable contempt.

"I suppose," said she, speaking with a vehemence quite unusual to
her--"I suppose you know auntie's jewels are worth more money than
father has in the world! If you lose one of them, I don't know who's
going to pay for it; that's all."

Dotty looked amazed, but answered coolly,--

"Of course I always knew that! Auntie has about as nice things as the
governor's wife."

She was sure she was very humble, since swallowing her pride li