he, gaily. "I have been telling Barbara that a visit to London entails
bringing gifts for friends," he continued. "Do you see how smart I have
made her?"

Barbara hastily took off the chain, and laid it before her mother.

"What a beautiful chain!" muttered Mrs. Hare, in surprise. "Archibald,
you are too good, too generous! This must have cost a great deal; this
is beyond a trifle."

"Nonsense!" laughed Mr. Carlyle. "I'll tell you both how I happened to
buy it. I went into a jeweller's about my watch, which has taken to lose
lately in a most unceremonious fashion, and there I saw a whole display
of chains hanging up; some ponderous enough for a sheriff, some light
and elegant enough for Barbara. I dislike to see a thick chain on a
lady's neck. They put me in mind of the chain she lost, the day she and
Cornelia went with me to Lynchborough, which loss Barbara persisted in
declaring was my fault, for dragging her through the town sight-seeing,
while Cornelia did her shopping--for it was then the chain was lost."

"But I was only joking when I said so," was the interruption of Barbara.
"Of course it would have happened had you not been with me; the links
were always snapping."

"Well, these chains in the shop in London put me in mind of Barbara's
misfortune, and I chose one. Then the shopman brought forth some
lockets, and enlarged upon their convenience for holding deceased
relatives' hair, not to speak of sweethearts', until I told him he
might attach one. I thought it might hold that piece of hair you prize,
Barbara," he concluded, dropping his voice.