trifles gracefully."

"But it isn't a trifle, Alicia. I know mother won't like it."

"Won't like that blue sweater! Why, it's a beauty!"

"I don't mean that. I mean she won't like for me to take it,--to
accept it from you."

"All right; tell her you bought it yourself."

"Tell a story about it! No, thank you." Dolly's blue eyes fairly
flashed at the thought.

"Well, my stars! Dolly, don't make such a fuss about it! Throw it
away, or give it to the scullery maid! You don't have to keep it!"

Clearly, Alicia was annoyed. Dolly was far from ungrateful, and she
didn't know quite what to do.

"Of course, she'll keep it," Dotty broke in, anxious to straighten
matters out. "She adores it, Alicia; but we girls aren't accustomed to
making each other gifts,--at least, not expensive ones."

"Well, you needn't make a habit of it. One sweater doesn't make a
summer! I hope Mrs. Berry won't be so squeamish! If I thought she
would, I'd throw hers in the ash barrel before I'd give it to her!"

"I s'pose I was horrid about it, Alicia," said Dolly, contritely; "I
do love it, really, you know I do; but, as Dotty says, we never give