and took special pains to be sweet and tender to her. This preference
made Katy jealous. She couldn't bear to share her cousin with anybody.

When the last evening came, and they went up after tea to the Blue-room,
Cousin Helen was opening a box which had just come by Express.

"It is a Good-by Box," she said. "All of you must sit down in a row, and
when I hide my hands behind me, _so_, you must choose in turn which you
will take."

So they all chose in turn, "Which hand will you have, the right or the
left?" and Cousin Helen, with the air of a wise fairy, brought out from
behind her pillow something pretty for each one. First came a vase
exactly like her own, which Katy had admired so much. Katy screamed with
delight as it was placed in her hands:

"Oh, how lovely! how lovely!" she cried. "I'll keep it as long as I live
and breathe."

"If you do, it'll be the first time you ever kept anything for a week
without breaking it," remarked Aunt Izzie.

Next came a pretty purple pocket-book for Clover. It was just what she
wanted, for she had lost her porte-monnaie. Then a cunning little locket
on a bit of velvet ribbon, which Cousin Helen tied round Elsie's neck.

"There's a piece of my hair in it," she said. "Why, Elsie, darling,
what's the matter? Don't cry so!"

"Oh, you're s-o beautiful, and s-o sweet!" sobbed Elsie; "and you're