s!'

Anne drew back and shook her head, for she would not trust her voice.

'Well, Mrs. Garland, then you shall have it,' said Bob, tossing the shawl
to that ready receiver. 'If you don't, upon my life I will throw it out
to the first beggar I see. Now, here's a parcel of cap ribbons of the
splendidest sort I could get. Have these--do, Anne!'

'Yes, do,' said Mrs. Garland.

'I promised them to Matilda,' continued Bob; 'but I am sure she won't
want 'em, as she has got some of her own: and I would as soon see them
upon your head, my dear, as upon hers.'

'I think you had better keep them for your bride if you have promised
them to her,' said Mrs. Garland mildly.

'It wasn't exactly a promise. I just said, "Til, there's some cap
ribbons in my box, if you would like to have them." But she's got enough
things already for any bride in creation. Anne, now you shall have
'em--upon my soul you shall--or I'll fling them down the mill-tail!'

Anne had meant to be perfectly firm in refusing everything, for reasons
obvious even to that poor waif, the meanest capacity; but when it came to
this point she was absolutely compelled to give in, and reluctantly
received the cap ribbons in her arms, blushing fitfully, and with her lip
trembling in a motion which she tried to exhibit as a smile.

'What would Tilly say if she knew!' said the miller slily.

'Yes, indeed--and it is wrong of him!' Anne instantly cried, tears
running down her face as she threw the parcel of ribbons on the floor.
'You'd better bestow your gifts where you bestow your l--l--love, Mr.
Loveday--that's what I say!' And Anne turned her back and went away.

'I'll take them for her,' said Mrs. Garland, quickly picking up the
parcel.

'Now that's a pity,' said Bob, looking regretfully after Anne. 'I didn't
remember that she was a quick-tempered sort of girl at all. Tell her,
Mrs. Garland, that I ask her pardon. But of course I didn't know she was
too proud to accept a little present--how should I? Upon my life if it
wasn't for Matilda I'd--Well, that can't be, of course.'

'What's this?' said Mrs. Garland, touching with her foot a large package
that had been laid down by Bob unseen.

'That's a bit of baccy for myself,' said Robert meekly.

The examination of presents at last ended, and the two families parted
for the night. When they were alone, Mrs. Garland said to Anne, 'What a
close girl you are! I am sure I never knew that Bob Loveday and yo