uld not help consoling the girl, even if it was in
direct opposition to Miss Eliza, when things seemed to be too
thoroughly disappointing. "You know your Aunt 'Titia will make it just
as pretty as she possibly can. I think green is lovely with red hair,
myself, even though Sister 'Liza doesn't seem to, but white is lovely
with it also. And your mother may get you some other things, very
probably; don't you remember that it said 'immediate needs' in the
letter? And if that means what I imagine it does, you may find yourself
with two party dresses when you thought you were only going to have
one. And," ended Miss Asenath, smiling, "she may feel about colors just
as you and I do. I think somehow she will!"

Arethusa smiled back. It was a pleasing prospect held out by Aunt
'Senath, so she took heart and hope immediately.

Miss Eliza bent her glasses upon the two conspirators on the sofa.

"Don't you be telling Arethusa she would look nice in green, 'Senath,
because you know very well she wouldn't. In _my_ day," this severely
directed at Arethusa herself, "so much wasn't done for girls that they
forgot how to be grateful. Nowadays, they want the whole earth and a
ring around it, into the bargain. The more you give 'em, the more they
want. A green dress for Arethusa! Who on earth would have thought of
such a thing but you! If your hair wasn't quite so red, you wouldn't
be so limited in your choice of colors. A green dress! That's Ross
Worthington all over again. Wild ideas; nothing like anybody sensible
would think of ever having or doing! A green dress with your fiery red
hair!"

Arethusa could not help but feel that this apostrophe to her hair was
going rather far. Miss Letitia and Miss Asenath had much the same
feeling. But Miss Letitia dared only look her sympathy, and Miss
Asenath felt it best to express hers by one of her loving little pats.

Then Miss Eliza happened to glance at the tall marble clock. She
immediately put her work down. "You may finish these stockings,
Arethusa, if you think you can keep your mind on it long enough. But
just as I was doing them though; mind! It's time for me to go show
Blish about fixing that sore place on the black cow's back. He was to
be up at four."

With Miss Eliza's departure harmony reigned supreme, and Arethusa's
tongue loosened. Over the marking of her stockings, she chattered
happily to Miss Asenath and Miss Letitia. Very often, when Miss Eliza
was present, her rather d