observed."

The superintendent was not present. He had started for the distant
railroad station two days previously to get the Christmas boxes.

"I have never had the slightest trouble with both classes, heretofore,
but to-day they seemed to throw off all restraint, and I was simply in
despair," added the young teacher with a strained expression in her
voice. "They whispered in Dakota, and their meaning was a mystery, but I
heard Cordelia Running Bird's name and Hannah Straight Tree's very
often, also Susie, Dolly and Lucinda."

"There was some trouble in the hall yesterday, which made Cordelia
Running Bird moody for a time, but she recovered her good-nature in the
afternoon and seems to be behaving nicely now, although much hurt by the
treatment which she is receiving from the girls," the white mother said.

"The children were excited also," said the teacher, who had taught the
infant class. "They whispered much in English, and I gathered from
their talk that the unusual wardrobe which Cordelia is preparing for her
little sister to appear in during her Christmas visit, has to do with
the disturbance. I was forced to hear about the red dress and the brown
shoes and stockings, and the blue dress and the black shoes and
stockings, till I knew not what to do. It seems that Hannah is vexed
about the little things, and the other girls are sympathizing with her,
and they seem to have some grievance of their own, besides."

"That explains it," said the white mother. "Perhaps it was unwise to
let Cordelia have the red cashmere for the little dress, but she is
paying for it by contributing a portion of her hard-earned money to the