so hateful when I see
Juno and Wilford's mother making believe, and putting their heads down
on velvet cushions, knowing as I do that they both are thinking either
of their own bonnets or those just in front."

"Are you not a little uncharitable?" Marian asked, laughing in spite of
herself at the picture Katy drew of fashion trying to imitate religion
in its humility.

"Perhaps so," Katy answered. "I grow bad from looking behind the scenes,
and the worst is that I do not care. But tell me, do you think Morris
likes me less than formerly?"

Marian did not, and assured on that point, Katy went back to the
farmhouse, asking numberless questions about its inmates, and at last
coming to the business which had brought her to Marian's room.

There were perceptible spots on Marian's neck, and her lips were very
white, while her hands grasped the bundles tossed into her lap--the
yards and yards of lace and embroidery, linen, and cambric, which she
was expected to make for the wife of Wilford Cameron; and her voice was
husky as she asked directions or made suggestions of her own.

"It's because she has no such joy in expectation. I should feel so, too,
if I were thirty and unmarried," Katy thought, as she noticed Marian's
agitation, and tried to divert her mind by telling her as delicately as
possible that she had brought with her sundry stores of which she had
such an abundance.

"I knew you were not an object of charity," she said, as she saw the
flush on Marian's brow, "but when I have so much I like to share it with
others, and you seem like our folks."

"Did Wilf--did Mr. Cameron know?" Marian asked, and Katy answered "No;
but it does not matter. He lets me do as I like in these matters, and
the greatest pleasure I have is giving. You are not offended?" she
continued, as she saw a tear drop from Marian's eyelids.

"No--oh, no," and Marian quietly laid aside the packages which would
find their way to many an humble garret or cellar, where biting poverty
had its abode.

It would choke her to eat whatever came from Wilford Cameron, but she
could not tell Katy so, though she did say: "I will keep these because
you brought them, but do not do so again. There are many far more needy.
I saved something in Silverton. I shall not suffer so long as my health
is spared."

Then after a few more inquiries concerning the work, about which she
could now talk calmly, she asked where Katy went when she was abroad,
her blue eyes