d led the
choir, and it was often necessary for him to gather the singers
together and try over the anthem before the service. Sometimes the
rector would change the hymns, and then the choir must have one little
rehearsal of them. Martha and Mr. Thurbyfil accompanied them this
morning, and Betty and the boys were to walk, for four grown-ups with
little Janey sandwiched in between more than filled the carryall.

In these days Betty no longer had to wash and dress her brothers, but
there were numerous attentions required of her, such as only growing
boys can originate, and "sister" was as kind and gay in helping them
over their difficulties as of old. So, now, as she stepped out of her
room all dressed for church in her white muslin with green rose sprigs
over it, with her green parasol, and her prayer book in her hand,
Bobby called her.

"Oh, Sis! I've broken my shoe string and it's time to start."

"I have a new one in my everyday shoes, Bobby, dear; run upstairs and
take it out. They're just inside the closet door. Wait a minute,
Jamie; that lock stands straight up on the back of your head. Can't
you make it lie down? Bring me the brush. You look splendid in your
new trousers. Now, you hurry on ahead and leave this at the Deans'.
It's Clara's sash bow. I found it in the wagon after they left last
night. Run, she may want to wear it to church.--Yes, Bobby, dear, I
sent him on, but you can catch up. Have you a handkerchief? Yes, I'll
follow in a minute."

And the boys rushed off, looking very clean in their Sunday clothing,
and very old and mannish in their long trousers and stiff hats. Betty
looked after them with pride, then she bethought her that the cat had
not had her saucer of milk, and ran down to the spring to get it,
leaving the doors wide open behind her. The day was quite warm enough
for her to wear the summer gown, and she was very winsome and pretty
in her starched muslin, with the delicate green buds sprayed over it.
She wore a green belt, too, and the parasol she was very proud of, for
she had bought it with her own chicken money. It was her heart's
delight. Betty's skirt reached nearly to the ground, for she was quite
in long dresses, and two little ruffles rippled about her feet as she
ran down the path to the spring. But, alas! As she turned away after
carefully fastening the spring-house door, the cat darted under her
feet; and Betty stumbled and the milk streamed down the front of her
dress and s