om he got this clematis for us," explained Marty,
who always had to be spokesman.

"And it is beautiful!" exclaimed the young lady. "What wouldn't I give
for some like it! Did Hiram leave any or did he gather all for you?"

"Oh, there's plenty left!"

"Then I must have some," said the young lady, jumping up. "Come, girls,
follow your leader to this bottom, wherever it is, and let us gather
clematis while we may."

"Fanny, Fanny, you crazy thing! Sit down and behave yourself," cried one
of her friends, laughing. "You have no idea where the place is, and we
have been walking for three or four hours already."

"Oh, you can't go," said Marty earnestly to Miss Fanny. "It's miles and
miles away; down steep hills and across the ford. Besides, Hiram says
there may be snakes among the bushes."

"Well, that settles it," said Miss Fanny, reseating herself on the log,
while the others laughed heartily.

Then Marty said with pretty hesitation, "Wont you have some of my
flowers? I'd like to give you some."

"Some of mine, too," said Evaline, her generosity overcoming her
shyness.

"Oh, no, indeed!" protested Miss Fanny. "Thank you very much, but I
would not for the world deprive you of them. Very likely you have got it
all arranged exactly how you are going to dispose of them at home."

So they had, but neither of them was a bit selfish. Marty had already
placed her hat on the end of the log and was busily engaged in
separating a large bunch of flowers from the rest, and Evaline,
approaching the young ladies, held out her apronful towards them.

"Perhaps," suggested the tall, fair girl, whom her companions called
"Dora," "perhaps you would be willing to play you are real flower girls
and would sell us some."

"Yes, yes," exclaimed Miss Fanny, "let us make a play of it. Little
girls, how much are your flowers?" and she drew forth a long blue purse.

"'T would be mean to sell what didn't cost us anything, and what we
didn't have to move a finger to get," said Marty. "I'd a great deal
rather you would let me give you as many as you want."

"No, it would not be mean at all when you are giving up what you have so
much pleasure in. It would only be fair to take something in exchange,"
said Miss Fanny. "Just think!" she added persuasively, "isn't there
something you'd each like to have a quarter for?"

Marty still held out against taking money for the flowers, but all at
once Evaline exclaimed brightly, "Oh, the mission-ba