Often her lashes would lie for an instant upon her cheek, when immediately
she would open her eyes very wide, and look furtively about to see if her
drowsiness were detected.

"And they lived happily ever after," read Randy.

"And they lived--happily--ever--after," drawled Prue, as if in proof that
she were indeed awake.

"Why Prue," cried Randy, "you're half asleep."

"I'm not," Prue answered, "I heard what you read. You said 'and they lived
happy ever after.' Now I'm wide awake, else how did I hear?"

After Prue was safely tucked in bed, Randy returned to the cheerful room
below and unfolded her plan for spending her prize money.

Mrs. Weston put aside her sewing to listen, and Mr. Weston laying his
paper across his knees, watched Randy keenly as she said,

"You see I've felt that I should like to do something with this prize
which it would always give me pleasure to remember, and I know that if you
both think best to let me do this, I shall always look back to it with
happy thoughts."

There was a pause when Randy had finished speaking, then Mrs. Weston,
without a word, placed her hand upon Randy's, as it lay upon the table and
the Squire, taking off his glasses and affecting to see a bit of moisture
upon them, took out his handkerchief and slowly wiping the lenses he said,