She snatched the waist and shook it out, and her face was beaming.  “Have you taken to waists all fancy and buttoned in the back?  I bet you this is mine!”

“I bet you so too,” said Margaret Sinton.  “You undress right away and try it on, and if it fits, it will be done for morning.  There are some low shoes, too!”

Elnora began to dance.  “Oh, you dear people!” she cried.  “I can pay for them to-morrow night!  Isn’t it too splendid!  I was just thinking on the way home that I certainly would be compelled to have cooler shoes until later, and I was wondering what I’d do when the fall rains begin.”

“I meant to get you some heavy dress skirts and a coat then,” said Mrs. Comstock.

“I know you said so!” cried Elnora.  “But you needn’t, now!  I can buy every single stitch I need myself.  Next summer I can gather up a lot more stuff, and all winter on the way to school.  I am sure I can sell ferns, I know I can nuts, and the Bird Woman says the grade rooms want leaves, grasses, birds’ nests, and cocoons.  Oh, isn’t this world lovely!  I’ll be helping with the tax, next, mother!”

Elnora waved the waist and started for the bedroom.  When she opened the door she gave a little cry.

“What have you people been doing?” she demanded.  “I never saw so many interesting bundles in all my life.  I’m ‘skeered’ to death for fear I can’t pay for them, and will have to give up something.”

“Wouldn’t you take them, if you could not pay for them, Elnora?” asked her mother instantly.

“Why, not unless you did,” answered Elnora.  “People have no right to wear things they can’t afford, have they?”

“But from such old friends as Maggie and Wesley!” Mrs. Comstock’s voice was oily with triumph.

“From them least of all,” cried Elnora stoutly.  “From a stranger sooner than from them, to whom I owe so much more than I ever can pay now.”

“Well, you don’t have to,” said Mrs. Comstock.  “Maggie just selected these things, because she is more in touch with the world, and has got such good taste.  You can pay as long as your money holds out, and if there’s more necessary, maybe I can sell the butcher a calf, or if things are too costly for us, of course, they can take them back.  Put on the waist now, and then you can look over the rest and see if they are suitable, and what you want.”

Elnora stepped into the adjoining room and closed the door.  Mrs. Comstock picked up the bucket and started for the well with it.  At the bedroom she paused.

“Elnora, were you going to wash these arrow points?”

“Yes.  The Bird Woman says they sell better if they are clean, so it can be seen that there are no defects in them.”

“Of course,” said Mrs. Comstock.  “Some of them seem quite baked.  Shall I put them to soak?  Do you want to take them in the morning?”

“Yes, I do,” answered Elnora.  “If you would just fill the pail with water.”