“No, not poor at all, come to think of it,” answered Margaret.  “It’s a peculiar case.  Mrs. Comstock had a great trouble and she let it change her whole life and make a different woman of her.  She used to be lovely; now she is forever saving and scared to death for fear they will go to the poorhouse; but there is a big farm, covered with lots of good timber.  The taxes are high for women who can’t manage to clear and work the land.  There ought to be enough to keep two of them in good shape all their lives, if they only knew how to do it.  But no one ever told Kate Comstock anything, and never will, for she won’t listen.  All she does is droop all day, and walk the edge of the swamp half the night, and neglect Elnora.  If you girls would make life just a little easier for her it would be the finest thing you ever did.”

All of them promised they would.

“Now tell me about your hair,” persisted Margaret Sinton.

So they took her to a toilet counter, and she bought the proper hair soap, also a nail file, and cold cream, for use after windy days.  Then they left her with the experienced clerk, and when at last Wesley found her she was loaded with bundles and the light of other days was in her beautiful eyes.  Wesley also carried some packages.

“Did you get any stockings?” he whispered.

“No, I didn’t,” she said.  “I was so interested in dresses and hair ribbons and a—­a hat——­” she hesitated and glanced at Wesley.  “Of course, a hat!” prompted Wesley.  “That I forgot all about those horrible shoes.  She’s got to have decent shoes, Wesley.”

“Sure!” said Wesley.  “She’s got decent shoes.  But the man said some brown stockings ought to go with them.  Take a peep, will you!”

Wesley opened a box and displayed a pair of thick-soled, beautifully shaped brown walking shoes of low cut.  Margaret cried out with pleasure.

“But do you suppose they are the right size, Wesley?  What did you get?”

“I just said for a girl of sixteen with a slender foot.”

“Well, that’s about as near as I could come.  If they don’t fit when she tries them, we will drive straight in and change them.  Come on now, let’s get home.”

All the way they discussed how they should give Elnora their purchases and what Mrs. Comstock would say.

“I am afraid she will be awful mad,” said Margaret.

“She’ll just rip!” replied Wesley graphically.  “But if she wants to leave the raising of her girl to the neighbours, she needn’t get fractious if they take some pride in doing a good job.  From now on I calculate Elnora shall go to school; and she shall have all the clothes and books she needs, if I go around on the back of Kate Comstock’s land and cut a tree, or drive off a calf to pay for them.  Why I know one tree she owns that would put Elnora in heaven for a year.  Just think of it, Margaret!  It’s not fair.  One-third of what is there belongs to Elnora by law,