, and
Peter Carpenter had had but one son.

Mrs. Russell, who went to the shop with Alex one day, was greatly
impressed with Marion's bearing. "Any one can see she is not an
ordinary person," she said.

"That must be because you know she is well-connected, mother," Alex
replied. "Mrs. Millard could not see it."

"I trust I am not quite so prejudiced," Mrs. Russell said.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND

VALENTINES

"Undoubtedly our connection with the rich Miss Carpenter has affected
our social position. The air is full of affability. Before we know it,
we shall be in society." Norah looked up from her account-book to make
this remark.

"As it is all your doing, I trust you are pleased," returned Marion.

"That pretty fraud, Madelaine Russell, asked me yesterday if she might
not come with Alexina to the basket making next Friday," continued
Norah. "Of course I had to say 'yes.' Now I think I'll ask that little
type-writer girl I met at the mission. She is really a neighbor, for
she boards in that tall, dreary house on the corner of Walnut and
Pleasant streets."

"Why not ask her to dinner? I should really enjoy some company."

"A good idea, Marion. She looks hungry,--I don't mean for dinner, but
for something besides work. She is from the country. What have you in
that bag, Infinitesimal James?--some more 'finger ladies'?"

James Mandeville, who had at that moment entered, nodded his head,
speech being for obvious reasons out of the question.

"Eating in the shop is against the rule, except at afternoon tea,"
said Marion. "You must go outside, or join Susanna in the kitchen."

"Did you happen to meet Mr. Goodman this morning?" asked Norah.

"Yes, he buyed the finger ladies," answered James Mandeville, helping
himself again from the bag, and then passing it around. "I am going to
buy him a valentine," he added.

"To be sure, he deserves one. We'll go down town this very afternoon
and select it."

"Goody!" said James Mandeville, and in great spirits he carried his
cakes out of doors, and was presently busily engaged in playing
conductor on the doorstep, calling out in stentorian tones at
intervals, "All on a board!"

Norah found the business of selecting valentines in company with a
small boy, a lengthy one. James Mandeville's taste was exacting. At
first the comic ones caught his eye, and he was with difficulty
induced to consider more worthy specimens of art; then he bestowed his
favor upon an elabo