Isn't she, mamma?"

"A little inclined so," answered Mrs. Raymond, who delighted in pretty
clothes. "Bee, do take more interest. It is ungrateful not to appreciate
what your father is doing for you. Now, Adele cares a great deal more
about her appearance than you do about yours, yet I should not get her
so many things. Of course William knows that you need more dressing is
the reason he is so liberal."

"No, Aunty," returned Bee. "Father is not generous because of that, but
because he wishes to make up to me for his absence."

And with the utterance of these words it became clear to her that this
was in truth the reason. That he was not quite easy in his mind
regarding her, and sought this means to relieve the feeling. A quick
gush of tenderness flooded her being.

"I must be brave," she told herself over and over. "It distresses him
because I am unhappy. I must be brave."

"Bee," spoke Adele sharply, "what in the world are you mooning about?
Mamma has spoken to you twice."

"I beg your pardon, aunty," said Bee contritely. "I did not hear you. I
was thinking."

"You should conquer that habit of inattentiveness," chided her aunt. "I
notice that it is growing on you. What has come over you, Bee? I never
saw such a change in a girl in all my life!"

"Am I so changed?" asked Bee wistfully.

"Well; you are so thoughtful and quiet. You used to be so merry, you
know."

"It's father, aunty," cried the girl, bursting into tears. "I am trying
to be brave, but oh, Aunt Annie! my heart is breaking."

The lady drew her to her and kissed her.

"It doesn't do to have so much feeling, child," she said. "There! dry
your eyes, and look at this tweed. It will make a handsome traveling
gown."

"Yes;" broke in Adele ecstatically, while Bee wiped her eyes, and
endeavored to interest herself in the dress. "There are to be gloves,
hat and shoes in keeping. The girls would call it swell. And, Bee, we
are all going to New York with Uncle William to see him off. Won't it be
fine to be in New York City? You better believe that I'm not coming back
without seeing some of the sights."

"I think we shall all be willing to do that, Adele," smiled her mother.

So the talk went on. Bee was fitted with wraps, gowns, hats, and other
things considered necessary until her head whirled with the
multitudinous furnishings, and all the world seemed to resolve itself
into one vast dressmaking shop created solely for her benefit.

"Another, a