hair-ribbon did not go unnoticed.

"Now," said Ruth, rising after a few moments, "I guess that's all of
that foolishness. I-- I don't usually cry, Aunt Alvirah."

"Pshaw, now! I could tell that," said the old lady, comfortably.

"I am going right to work to help you," said the girl. "I can stoop
better than you can."

"I expect you can, you pretty creeter," admitted the old lady.

Ruth had already taken the brush and pan and was at work upon the
floor. The lady said: "You ain't familiar to me, child. You've lost
some folks lately, I see. Do you live 'round here?"

The little girl stopped and looked up at her in surprise. "Why, don't
you know about it?" she cried.

"Know about what, child?"

"Didn't you know I had come here to live with you?"

"Bless us and save us!" ejaculated Aunt Alvirah. "How did that
happen?"

"Didn't my uncle tell you?" cried Ruth, much more surprised than the
old lady.

"Who's your uncle, child?"