she knew the boys would laugh. They did, and her mother said in a
tone of surprise,--

"Why, child, what more can you want? I'm sure your room is
always as neat as a new pin, thanks to your bringing up, and I told
you to have a fire there whenever you wanted to."

"Let me have some old things out of the garret, and I'll show you
what I want. It _is_ neat, but so bare and ugly I hate to be there. I do
so love something pretty to look at!" and Merry gave a little shiver
of disgust as she turned her eyes away from the large greasy boot
Dick was holding up to be sure it was well lubricated all round.

"So do I, and that's a fact. I couldn't get on without my pretty girl
here, any way. Why, she touches up the old place better than a
dozen flower-pots in full blow," said the farmer, as his eye went
from the scarlet geranium to the bright young face so near his own.

"I wish I had a dozen in the sitting-room window. Mother says they
are not tidy, but I'd keep them neat, and I know you'd like it,"
broke in Merry, glad of the chance to get one of the long-desired
wishes of her heart fulfilled.

"I'll fetch you some next time I go over to Ballad's. Tell me what
you want, and we'll have a posy bed somewhere round, see if we
don't," said her father, dimly understanding what she wanted.

"Now, if mother says I may fix my room, I shall be satisfied, and
I'll do my chores without a bit of fuss, to show how grateful I am,"
said the girl, thanking her father with a kiss, and smiling at her