winter coat, very badly. Oh, very badly, indeed! The girls were
ashamed of me last Sunday, I looked so cold outside, though I was
dressed plenty warm enough inside. I've been looking forward to a new
coat, Mr. Harold. I've never had one yet. There was always something
to cut down for me, from Prudence, or Fairy, or the twins. But this
time there wasn't anything to hand down, and so I just naturally
counted on a new one." Connie paused, and looked embarrassed.

"Yes?" His voice was encouraging.

"Well, I'll tell you the rest, but I hope you won't say anything about
it, for I'd feel pretty cheap if I thought all the Sunday-school folks
knew about it.--You see, the members need such a lot of money now just
before Christmas, and so they didn't pay us up last month, and they
haven't paid anything this month. And we had to get coal, and feed,
and Larkie's teeth had to be fixed, and Carol was sick, you remember.
Seems to me Lark's teeth might have been put off until after Christmas,
but Prudence says not.--And so there isn't any money left, and I can't
have a coat. But Prudence and Fairy are making me one,--out of an old
coat of father's!"

Constance paused dramatically. Mr. Harold never even smiled. He just
nodded understandingly. "I don't think I could wear a coat of father's
to church,--it's cut down of course, but--there's something painful
about the idea. I wouldn't expect father to wear any of my clothes!
You can see how it is, Mr. Harold. Just imagine how you would feel
wearing your wife's coat!--I don't think I could listen to the sermons.
I don't believe I could be thankful for the mercy of wearing father's
coat! I don't see anything merciful about it. Do you?"