CHAPTER VI.

THE ENCHANTED NECKLACE.


Several days after Betty's arrival, the Little Colonel went into her
mother's room with a troubled face.

"Mothah," she said, anxiously, "what are we goin' to do about the lawn
fête at Anna Moore's this afternoon? Elizabeth hasn't a thing to weah
but that lawn dress that she has put on every evenin' since she came,
and it isn't fresh enough. I can't lend her anything because I'm not
quite as tall as she is, and my clothes would be too short. What is she
goin' to do?"

"Ah, that is my secret, little daughter," answered Mrs. Sherman, with a
smile. "What do you suppose I spent that hot morning in town for, the
day after she came, and why, do you think, have I driven over so many
times to see Miss Dean? I have made at least six trips there."

"Was it to get some clothes made for Elizabeth?" asked Lloyd. A little
expression of doubt showed in the anxious pucker of her forehead. "But,
mothah, she is awfully proud if she is poah. Aren't you afraid of
hurtin' her feelin's?"

"There are a great many ways of giving gifts, little daughter. If I
provided her with clothes in a way to make her feel that I thought hers
were too mean to be worn in my house, and that I was ashamed to have a
guest of mine present such an appearance, that would naturally hurt her