Then they went off with great glee and many
whisperings.

It is a curious thing how easily and quickly young people can shop
provided they have plenty of money and no older person by to hamper
them. Allison and Leslie were back within the time they had set,
looking very meek and satisfied. Leslie carried a small package,
which she laid in Julia Cloud's lap.

"You said you needed a hand-bag," she said; "and I came on a place
where they were having a sale. I thought this was a peach; so I bought
it. If you don't like it, we can give it to Aunt Ellen or some one."

Julia Cloud's cheeks grew pink with pleasure, and she felt like a very
young, happy child as she opened the parcel to find a lovely gray
suede hand-bag with silver clasp and fittings, containing quite a
little outfit of toilet articles and brushes in neat, compact form.
She caught her breath with delight as she touched the soft white
leather lining, and noticed the perfection and finish of the whole. It
seemed fit for a queen, yet was plain and quiet enough on the outside
for a dove to carry. She looked up to see the two pairs of eager eyes
upon her, and could hardly refrain from throwing her arms about the
children right there in the store; but she stopped in time and let her
eyes do the caressing, as she said with a tremble in her low, sweet
voice:

"O you dear children! How you are going to spoil me! I see I must get
settled quickly so that I shall have the power to restrain you."

They rollicked forth then, and bought several things, a big steamer
rug for the car, a pair of long gray mocha gloves to match the
hand-bag, a silk umbrella, and for Aunt Ellen a shiny black hand-bag
with a number of conveniences in it, and a pair of new black gloves
with long, warm wrists tucked inside of it. Then Allison thoughtfully
suggested a handsome leather wallet for Uncle Herbert, and Julia
Cloud lingered by the handkerchief-counter, and selected half a dozen
new fine handkerchiefs. It all seemed just like a play to her, it was
so very long since she had been shopping herself. Ellen had bought
everything for her for years, because she was always too busy or too
burdened to get away.

When they were out in the street again, it was still too early to
think of going to the hotel for dinner.

"How about a movie, Cloudy?" asked Allison shyly. "There's a pippin
down the street a ways. I saw it as we came by. Or don't you like
movies? Perhaps you'd rather go to the hotel