things Trudy shampooed her hair with
scented soap and by the time its reddish loveliness was dry it was
high noon and she repaired to her bedroom to mend and write letters.
At one o'clock, in the process of dressing, she rapped at Mary's door
and asked to borrow a quarter.

"I'm terribly poor this week and if I should have a quarrel with Gay I
want to have enough carfare to come home alone--you know how we
scrap," she explained.

About two o'clock there emerged from the front bedroom an excellent
imitation of the Gorgeous Girl. Trudy had not exaggerated when she
boasted of her own style. Though patronizing credit houses exclusively
and possessing not a single woollen garment nor a penny of savings,
she tripped down the stairs in answer to Luke's summons, a fearful,
wonderful little person in a gown of fog-coloured chiffon with a
violet sash and a great many trimmings of blue crystal beads. She
boasted of a large black hat which seemed a combination of a Spanish
scarf and a South Sea pirate's pet headgear, since it had red coral
earrings hanging at either side of it. Over her shoulders was a
luxurious feline pelt masquerading comfortably under the title of
spotted fox. White kid boots, white kid gloves, a silver vanity case,
and a red satin rose at her waist completed the costume.

Standing in the offing, about to decamp with Mary, Luke gave a low
whistle to tip her off to look out the window and not miss it. Mrs.
Faithful was peeking from behind the starched window curtains as there
glided before her eyes the most elegant young woman and impressive
young man ever earning fifteen dollars and no dollars a week
respectively.

"How do they do it?" Mary sighed. "Come, Luke, let's get on the trail
of something green and real."

A few moments later there hurried along the same pathway a tall young
woman in an old tailored suit which impressed one with the wearer's
plainness. Instead of a silver vanity case she was laden with a basket
of newspapers, string, and a garden trowel, indicating that fern roots
would be the vogue shortly. Shouldering fishing tackle Luke turned his
freckled face toward Mary as they began a conversation, and his
perpetual grin was momentarily replaced by an expression of respect.
At least his sister was not like the average woman, who depends solely
on her clothes to make her interesting.

Meantime, Trudy and Gaylord Vondeplosshe were beginning their
Sunday outing by walking to the corner in sil