Then at last they came to the jacket department, and before she knew what she was doing a very tall young woman was standing beside her with a bright scarlet coat in her hands, and actually holding it out for Huldah to try on.

“Oh, that will not do,” interposed Miss Rose, sharply.  She was sorry that Huldah should have seen it, it was so attractive, though unsuitable, and would probably make all the others seem dull and ugly.  But Huldah knew too that it was quite unsuitable for her purpose.  What she wanted was a serviceable garment for Sundays and week-days, wet weather and fine; she would have loved though to have it, and for years after, one of her ambitions was to have a bright red coat in the winter.

Miss Rose strolled away with the girl, after that, to say a word to her in private, and to try to help her pick out something suitable; and very soon they came back again with black coats, blue coats, dark green and grey coats, and one after the other Huldah tried them on, and one after the other they were thrown aside as useless.  The shoulders came to her elbows nearly, and the cuffs beyond her finger-tips, while the collars refused to come anywhere near her neck!  It was most disappointing.

“She is very narrow, and thin for her height,” remarked the girl, apologetically, as one after the other the coats hung off Huldah’s shoulders like loose sacks.  “I wonder if you wouldn’t find a cloak more satisfactory for her.  Fit does not matter so much with a cloak.  Now this one is a very good one; it cost fifteen shillings at first, but it is reduced very much, because it is a little out of fashion, and slightly shop-worn,” and she held up a warm brown cloak with big bone buttons, and, oh! joy of joys in Huldah’s eyes, a hood lined with blue!  “Hoods aren’t being worn now,” she went on; but Huldah heard no more.

“Not worn!  Out of fashion!” All her life Huldah had longed for a cloak with a hood!  In a rapture she felt the cloak being placed on her shoulders, and saw the girl button the big horn buttons, and in a tumult of shy delight she looked over herself, and then up at Miss Carew.

“That fits her very well,” said the girl, in a tone of relief.

Miss Rose read Huldah’s eager face, and almost nervously enquired the price.  It would be such a blow if it should be beyond them.

“It is reduced to eight shillings, madam,” said the girl, who was almost as anxious to sell as they were to buy.  “It is good cloth, a real bargain.”

“Then we must have it, mustn’t we, brownie?” cried Miss Rose, promptly.  “It may not be as warm as a coat, but it certainly fits her and suits her.  Why, we have turned you into a brownie again, Huldah!  Are you pleased with your purchase?”

“Oh yes, miss!  I think it is lovely, I like it better than any!” gasped Huldah, excitedly.  She could scarcely believe yet that she was not in a dream, or that it could really be she, Huldah Bate, to whom all this was happening.