and that you have carefully hidden away Johnnie's steam engine.
I know he will be delighted with it. Now, mumsey, dear, I have a
great favor to ask. Could you possibly let me have five dollars
more? I will send it back before my holiday is over, because I
only want to lend it to some one, and I am sure to get it back.
But, you see, no one has ever asked such a favor of me before,
and I do wish I could accommodate them. Don't say anything to
dad about it, but just send it along if you possibly can, and I
will surely send it back very soon. I am having a lovely time,
but feel I ought to be home with you all for my real Christmas.

"Lovingly, your daughter,

"OCTAVIA."

"There," she finished, "I guess that will do. I do hate to bother poor,
darling, little hard-working mother, but what can I do? Perhaps I will be
home for Christmas, too."

Then she wrote another letter--to her father. She made the same request,
couched in different terms. Perhaps they would each send the money, and
then she could pay Nat.




CHAPTER XV

DOROTHY AS A COMFORTER