"Yes, cruelty. What right had you to make that
poor child look like a fright, so people laughed at
her? We have made her some dresses that look
decent, and had come here to leave them, and to
take away those old gingham things that look as if
she lived in the almshouse, and leave these, so she
would either have to wear them or go without, when
we found she had gone."

It was at that crucial moment that Lily entered
by way of the window.

"Here she is now," shrieked Grandmother Stark.
"Amelia, where --" Then she stopped short.

Everybody stared at Lily's beautiful face suddenly
gone white. For once Lily was frightened. She lost
all self-control. She began to sob. She could scarce-
ly tell the absurd story for sobs, but she told, every
word.

Then, with a sudden boldness, she too turned on
Mrs. Diantha. "They call poor Amelia 'Copy-
Cat,'" said she, "and I don't believe she would ever
have tried so hard to look like me only my mother
dresses me so I look nice, and you send Amelia
to school looking awfully." Then Lily sobbed
again.