"It must look well with a five hundred-dollar note for a background. I
tell you, Doro, money covers a multitude of crimes. I wonder if little
Lily of the fire room has cooled off yet."

"But you haven't seen the new clothes auntie had brought us--yes us, for
she has not forgotten you. You are well able to pay bills now, you
know," and Dorothy gave a mischievous little tug at Tavia's elbow. "But
wait, wait till you see what you are to wear this very evening. The box
has just come up, and I will open it."

Whereupon Dorothy pulled in from the hall door a great purple box
labeled "robes." Tavia was on her knees beside it before Dorothy had a
chance to untie the strings. What girl does not like to see brand, new,
pretty dresses come out of their original box?

Layers of tissue paper were first unwrapped, then a glow of brilliant
red shown through the last covering.

"Whew!" exclaimed Tavia, "a rainbow gown, I'll bet. Then she gave her
usual text, as Dorothy called her spontaneous rhymes:

"Breathes there a girl with soul so dead,
Who never to herself has said,
I love to wear a dress bright red!"

"And I love red better than butter, and I love butter better than ice
cream--so there! Dorothy Dale, that dress on top I claim."

The "bright red" was in full view now, and it was really a beautiful