Elnora set the hat on her head.  It was only a wide tan straw with three exquisite peacock quills at one side.  Margaret Sinton cried out, Wesley slapped his knee and sighed deeply while Mrs. Comstock stood speechless for a second.

“I wish you had asked the price before you put that on,” she said impatiently.  “We never can afford it.”

“It’s not so much as you think,” said Margaret.  “Don’t you see what I did?  I had them take off the quills, and put on some of those Phoebe Simms gave me from her peacocks.  The hat will only cost you a dollar and a half.”

She avoided Wesley’s eyes, and looked straight at Mrs. Comstock.  Elnora removed the hat to examine it.

“Why, they are those reddish-tan quills of yours!” she cried.  “Mother, look how beautifully they are set on!  I’d much rather have them than those from the store.”

“So would I,” said Mrs. Comstock.  “If Margaret wants to spare them, that will make you a beautiful hat; dirt cheap, too!  You must go past Mrs. Simms and show her.  She would be pleased to see them.”

Elnora sank into a chair and contemplated her toe.  “Landy, ain’t I a queen?” she murmured.  “What else have I got?”

“Just a belt, some handkerchiefs, and a pair of top shoes for rainy days and colder weather,” said Margaret.

“About those high shoes, that was my idea,” said Wesley.  “Soon as it rains, low shoes won’t do, and by taking two pairs at once I could get them some cheaper.  The low ones are two and the high ones two fifty, together three seventy-five.  Ain’t that cheap?”

“That’s a real bargain,” said Mrs. Comstock, “if they are good shoes, and they look it.”

“This,” said Wesley, producing the last package, “is your Christmas present from your Aunt Maggie.  I got mine, too, but it’s at the house.  I’ll bring it up in the morning.”

He handed Margaret the umbrella, and she passed it over to Elnora who opened it and sat laughing under its shelter.  Then she kissed both of them.  She brought a pencil and a slip of paper to set down the prices they gave her of everything they had brought except the umbrella, added the sum, and said laughingly:  “Will you please wait till to-morrow for the money?  I will have it then, sure.”

“Elnora,” said Wesley Sinton.  “Wouldn’t you——­”

“Elnora, hustle here a minute!” called Mrs. Comstock from the kitchen.  “I need you!”

“One second, mother,” answered Elnora, throwing off the coat and hat, and closing the umbrella as she ran.  There were several errands to do in a hurry, and then supper.  Elnora chattered incessantly, Wesley and Margaret talked all they could, while Mrs. Comstock said a word now and then, which was all she ever did.  But Wesley Sinton was watching her, and time and again he saw a peculiar little twist around her mouth.  He knew that for the first time in sixteen years she really was laughing over something.  She had all she could do to preserve her usually sober face.  Wesley knew what she was thinking.