“It’s a grand idea, Connie!” proclaimed Lillie, with ready enthusiasm.

“How could we do it?” asked the quiet girl, coming to the practical question at once.

“By giving up some of our ribbons and candies and knickknacks during the next few weeks, maybe,” continued Constance earnestly, thinking it out as she went along.  “Suppose we all agree to get the pretty dresses the nuns wish us to wear on that day, instead of the showy ones we want?  They would not cost as much, and our mothers would, I am sure, let us use the extra money in this way.”

“What! give up the white silk!  Oh, I couldn’t!” objected Eugenia, disconcerted.  “Anyhow, I don’t believe mamma would like to have me do it.”

“Tulle is so lovely!” sighed Lillie.  “And I never did like plain mull.”

On the whole, the proposal was not received with favor.  It was discussed with much animation, but the bell rang before any decision had been arrived at.  Later, however, after a consultation with Sister Agnes, who promised her cordial co-operation, the children concluded to adopt Connie’s suggestion, if their mothers would consent.

“I must acknowledge that I am disappointed,” remarked Mrs. Davis to her husband that evening.  “To-day I ordered the material for Lillie’s First Communion dress,—­an exquisite tulle.  But she came home from school with a story about furnishing an outfit for a poor child, and she assures me that her companions are to wear plain dresses for the occasion.”  Thereupon the lady proceeded to give the details of the plan as she had understood it.

“A very creditable determination,” said Lillie’s papa, approvingly.  “I endorse it heartily.  If attired simply, the children will not be distracted by the thought of their gowns, while at the same time some deserving little girl will be provided with an appropriate costume.  I advise you to send back the tulle by all means, my dear, and apply the difference in price between it and the fabric agreed upon to the fund the children are trying to make up.”

“Well, I suppose it will be best to do so,” decided his wife.  “Anyhow, tulle is so delicate a tissue, and Lillie is such a heedless little creature, that it would probably be badly torn before the end of the ceremonies.”

“I am sorry,” soliloquized Connie’s mother when she heard of the project.  “Connie’s First Communion will be so important an event for her that I feel as if I could not do enough in preparation for it.  I should like to dress her more beautifully than on any day in her life.  If she were grown and about to enter society, or if I were buying her wedding-dress, I would select the handsomest material procurable,—­why not now, for an occasion so great that I ought hardly mention it in comparison?  But, after all,” mused she, later, “the children’s arrangement is the best.  I am happy that Constance is so free from frivolity, and has shown so edifying a spirit.”