had an uncomfortable feeling that they all stared at her
suspiciously, although she did not see how they could know about the
ring. But Matilda was bolder. "It's such a pleasant day that they're
all out trading," said she. "Guess it'll storm to-morrow. Now we want
to go to Gerrish's. I went there once with mother and Imogen to buy a
silver spoon for Cousin Hannah Green when she got married."

Comfort, trailing the sled behind her, started timidly after Matilda.

Gerrish's was a small store, but there was a large window full of
watches and chains and clocks, and a man with spectacles sat behind
it mending watches.

The two little girls went in and stood at the counter, and a thin man
with gray whiskers, who was Mr. Gerrish himself, came forward to wait
upon them. Matilda nudged Comfort.

"You ask him--it's your ring," she whispered.

But Comfort shook her head. She was almost ready to cry. "You'd ought
to when I'm giving you the dollar," whispered Matilda, with another
nudge. Mr. Gerrish stood waiting, and he frowned a little; he was a
nervous man. "Ask him," whispered Matilda, fiercely.

Suddenly Comfort Pease turned herself about and ran out of Gerrish's,
with a great wail of inarticulate words about not wanting any ring.
The door banged violently after her. Matilda Stebbins looked after
her in a bewildered way; then she looked up at Mr. Gerrish, who was
frowning harder. "If you girls don't want anything, you'd better stay
out of doors with your sled," said he. And Matilda trembled and