Mrs. Comstock left the room.  Wesley Sinton sat with his back to the window in the west end of the cabin which overlooked the well.  A suppressed sound behind him caused him to turn quickly.  Then he arose and leaned over Margaret.

“She’s out there laughing like a blamed monkey!” he whispered indignantly.

“Well, she can’t help it!” exclaimed Margaret.

“I’m going home!” said Wesley.

“Oh no, you are not!” retorted Margaret.  “You are missing the point.  The point is not how you look, or feel.  It is to get these things in Elnora’s possession past dispute.  You go now, and to-morrow Elnora will wear calico, and Kate Comstock will return these goods.  Right here I stay until everything we bought is Elnora’s.”

“What are you going to do?” asked Wesley.

“I don’t know yet, myself,” said Margaret.

Then she arose and peered from the window.  At the well curb stood Katharine Comstock.  The strain of the day was finding reaction.  Her chin was in the air, she was heaving, shaking and strangling to suppress any sound.  The word that slipped between Margaret Sinton’s lips shocked Wesley until he dropped on his chair, and recalled her to her senses.  She was fairly composed as she turned to Elnora, and began the fitting.  When she had pinched, pulled, and patted she called, “Come see if you think this fits, Kate.”

Mrs. Comstock had gone around to the back door and answered from the kitchen.  “You know more about it than I do.  Go ahead!  I’m getting supper.  Don’t forget to allow for what it will shrink in washing!”

“I set the colours and washed the goods last night; it can be made to fit right now,” answered Margaret.

When she could find nothing more to alter she told Elnora to heat some water.  After she had done that the girl began opening packages.

The hat came first.

“Mother!” cried Elnora.  “Mother, of course, you have seen this, but you haven’t seen it on me.  I must try it on.”

“Don’t you dare put that on your head until your hair is washed and properly combed,” said Margaret.

“Oh!” cried Elnora.  “Is that water to wash my hair?  I thought it was to set the colour in another dress.”

“Well, you thought wrong,” said Margaret simply.  “Your hair is going to be washed and brushed until it shines like copper.  While it dries you can eat your supper, and this dress will be finished.  Then you can put on your new ribbon, and your hat.  You can try your shoes now, and if they don’t fit, you and Wesley can drive to town and change them.  That little round bundle on the top of the basket is your stockings.”

Margaret sat down and began sewing swiftly, and a little later opened the machine, and ran several long seams.

Elnora returned in a few minutes holding up her skirts and stepping daintily in the new shoes.

“Don’t soil them, honey, else you’re sure they fit,” cautioned Wesley.