who sat reading just inside the door, but she did not answer and
deliberately turned a leaf without looking up.

Wesley Sinton opened the door and went in followed by Margaret.

"Kate," he said, "you needn't take out your mad over our little racket
on Maggie. I ain't told her a word I said to you, or you said to me.
She's not so very strong, and she's sewed since four o'clock this
morning to get this dress ready for to-morrow. It's done and we came
down to try it on Elnora."

"Is that the truth, Mag Sinton?" demanded Mrs. Comstock.

"You heard Wesley say so," proudly affirmed Mrs. Sinton.

"I want to make you a proposition," said Wesley. "Wait till Elnora
comes. Then we'll show her the things and see what she says."

"How would it do to see what she says without bribing her," sneered Mrs.
Comstock.

"If she can stand what she did yesterday, and will to-day, she can bear
'most anything," said Wesley. "Put away the clothes if you want to, till
we tell her."

"Well, you don't take this waist I'm working on," said Margaret, "for
I have to baste in the sleeves and set the collar. Put the rest out of
sight if you like."

Mrs. Comstock picked up the basket and bundles, placed them inside her