mother Wheeler, "I was half a mind to tell that
child to wait a minute and slip on one of those
pretty dresses. I hate to have her go on the street
in that old gingham, with that Jennings girl dressed
up like a wax doll."

"I know it."

"And now poor Diantha is so weak -- and asleep
-- it would not have annoyed her."

"I know it."

Grandmother Stark looked at Grandmother
Wheeler. Of the two she possessed a greater share
of original sin compared with the size of her soul.
Moreover, she felt herself at liberty to circumvent
her own daughter. Whispering, she unfolded a dar-
ing scheme to the other grandmother, who stared
at her aghast a second out of her lovely blue eyes,
then laughed softly.

"Very well," said she, "if you dare."

"I rather think I dare!" said Grandmother Stark.
"Isn't Diantha Wheeler my own daughter?" Grand-
mother Stark had grown much bolder since Mrs.
Diantha had been ill.

Meantime Lily and Amelia walked down the