, dear. It would be, of course, the proper thing," Mrs.
Middleton returned, "but I can't help wondering whether Katy herself
wouldn't fancy something not so plain and rather more stylish. After
all, we can hardly expect her to share our quiet tastes."

Elsie didn't resent the _our_ nor question the fact. She was only very
grateful.

"Oh, Aunt Milly, I'm so glad I spoke to you!" the girl cried with
unwonted warmth, for she felt immediately the cogency of Mrs.
Middleton's remark. "What do you think she would like? I might have
her go in with me and pick it out herself, only----"

"Only half the fun would be lost not to have her surprised on Christmas
morning? I don't know what she would like, I'm sure, but leave it to
me and I'll find out from Katy herself and without letting her mistrust
anything. Leave it to your Aunt Milly, dear. She is of so little use
that she has to seize upon whatever she can discover."

And truly she learned the desire of Katy's heart and reported to Elsie
that night. Green was Kate's first choice for color and blue next, and
she admired especially a long, loose garment with "one of them fur
collars that folds up like an accordion or a gentleman's opera-hat."
And Elsie succeeded in finding the very thing--not a difficult task,
Kate's choice being the latest fashion and very common.

Though her gifts gave extraordinary pleasure in every instance, the
reaction upon Elsie herself was yet greater. Her satisfaction was
increased by the fact that Mr. Middleton told her it was the happiest
Christmas he remembered, and that her being with them was largely what
made it so.

"Besides which," he added, "I realize that most of the other factors
and changes that contribute are really due to you and to your
influence, Elsie dear."

That was very precious to Elsie, but it couldn't ward off the reaction
that was to follow. The lavishness of the Middletons' gifts to her,
which they justified by reminding her that it was her birthday (she had
quite forgotten that Elsie Moss celebrated hers on Christmas!), quite
weighed down her spirits. On a sudden she seemed to herself to be
accepting what didn't belong to her, what wasn't meant for her.
Despite the placid way in which she had gone on acting the part of the
real niece, she pulled up and shied, so to speak, at this instance of
extravagant giving and a false birthday. It seemed as if she could not
bear it, could not accept the money, the jewelry