“I’m not sure that I can make you understand,” said Grandma, “and it isn’t really necessary that you should, at present.  But never again must you go out selling things to strangers.”

“But we sold things for the Dunns at the bazaar,” argued Marjorie.

“You can’t understand the difference, my dear, so don’t try.  Just obey Grandma and don’t ever undertake such a big enterprise as that without asking me beforehand.  Why, I’m ashamed that you should have gone to the Clarkes’ and the Fosters’ and the Eliots’ on such an errand!  Really, Marjorie, you ought to have known better.”

“But, Grandma, I thought you would be pleased, and it would make you a happy surprise.”

“I am surprised, but not at all pleased.  However, Mopsy, it wasn’t wilful wrong on your part; it was only one of those absurd mistakes that you seem to be continually making.”

“You showed a pretty good business instinct, Midget,” said her uncle; “if you were a boy I’d expect you to grow up to be one of the Kings of Finance.  But, after this, when you’re inclined to start a large business enterprise, invite me to go in with you as partner.”

“I will, Uncle Steve; but, anyway, we have ten dollars and seventy-five cents from our extract, and I don’t think that’s so bad.”

“Indeed, it isn’t,” said Uncle Steve, his eyes twinkling; “whoever can get money for charity out of old Bill Wallingford is, indeed, pretty clever!  I think, Grandma, that since Midge has earned this herself, she and the other girls ought to have the pleasure of spending it for the Dunns, in any way they choose.”

Grandma agreed with Uncle Steve in this matter, and the result was that the next day he took the three girls to town to spend their hard-earned money.

It was always fun to go anywhere with Uncle Steve, and this occasion was a particularly joyful one, for it combined the elements of a charitable excursion and a holiday beside.

They drove first to a large shop, where they bought some clothes for the Dunns.

The girls thought that a few pretty garments, as well as useful ones, would be the nicest way to use their money.  So they bought pretty straw hats and cambric dresses for the children, and a blue worsted shawl for Mrs. Dunn, and a little white cap for the baby.

“I don’t suppose these things are so awful necessary,” Midget confided to Uncle Steve, “but it will be such fun to see how glad they’ll be to get them.”  Molly, who was more practical, advised some aprons and shoes and stockings, while Stella’s preference was for toys.

“They don’t need so many clothes in summer time,” she said, “and something to amuse them will make them forget how hot it is.”

It was wonderful how long that ten dollars lasted, and how many things it bought!  Marjorie lost count of their expenditures, but every time she asked Uncle Steve if there was any money left, he answered, “Oh, yes, quite a bit more,” and so they bought and bought, until the carriage was overflowing with bundles.