indeed, was she in this respect, that in her final year, as graduation
day drew near, she was picked out from among three hundred and fifty
girls to deliver the class oration at the graduating exercises.

Mrs. Blaine, overjoyed at this fulfillment of her fondest hopes, at
once said she would make the graduation dress. Fanny and Virginia,
knowing well the labor it would involve, demurred. It was too much of
an undertaking. Their mother was far from strong; the sewing would
tire her eyes. Besides, they could not spare the time from the store.
It would be cheaper and quicker to buy the dress ready made. Even Dr.
Everett, when consulted, shook his head and tried to discourage the
widow from a task which he was afraid might prove beyond her strength.
But Mrs. Blaine was not to be put off so easily. Since their father's
death, she had let the girls have much their own way, but this time
she was determined. It would be a labor of love, she insisted. Daddie,
himself, would have wished it. And so, without further ado, work on
the beloved graduation dress was commenced.

And such work as it entailed! Running down town each instant, to buy
satin and ribbon and laces and lining, unable to find what was wanted,
or else purchasing something that did not suit and having to take it
back and exchange it for something else. The girls literally wore
their shoes to pieces, but they did not mind. They knew that making
this graduation dress was the one great joy that had come into their
mother's life since their father's death, and they were amply rewarded
when, after a long and arduous shopping tour they returned home with
the required article and handed it to her as she bent low over her
work at the board she would look up with a smile and exclaim:

"Oh, isn't it beautiful? That's just what I wanted! Now I can get on