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She was half way across the field by the time she had finished speaking, eager to tell the good news to the girls; and before the dew was dry on the grass the next morning, three sunbonneted figures scampered down the road to Mr. Hartman's lower pasture, armed with big pails and Allee's red wagon, intent on picking all the berries they could for Faith's jelly.
Nothing loath to humor his strange, sympathetic little guests, he began the second time to grind out the wheezy notes of the beautiful, time-honored song, and Peace's red lips took up the accompaniment, while Allee's sweet, childish voice warbled the words: "Maxwellton braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew, And it's there that Annie Laurie Gied me her promise true Gied me her promise true, Which ne'er forgot will be; And for bonnie Annie Laurie I'd lay me doon and dee."
The supper remained untouched, the dishes were cleared away in silence, and as soon as Hope arrived the unhappy little household climbed wearily, fearfully upstairs to bed, where Peace sobbed herself to sleep, with faithful Allee's arms about her neck. But no robber came to disturb the brown house and at length even Gail and Faith drifted away to slumberland, in spite of this added trouble.
But it was with a heavy heart that she went, for, much as she wanted to see her former pastor's family, she dreaded being separated from this dearest of sisters even for seven days; nor could she shake off the vague feeling of unrest which had gripped her when she saw the sick, sorrowful look in Allee's great blue eyes as they said good-bye.
Allee's eyes were as round as saucers with astonishment. "Yes. They wear big, wooden boats for shoes. I guess their feet must be extra big anyway, their shoes are simply e-mense and will hold a lot. Then there's the French people, they always save up all the fusses and scraps they have had with other folks during the year, and on Christmas Day they go around and get forgiven.
"Allee wanted to come today, but grandma said the Lilac Lady had asked for only me, so she wouldn't listen to Allee's going, too, I should like to have had her." "She can come Tuesday." "What's going to happen Tuesday?" asked the child, surprised at having so definite a date named.
Silence for a breathless moment fell upon the eager group, then with characteristic energy, Peace grabbed Allee's hand and started for the door, saying, "Come on, sister, let's get to work right away. We've got to win that picture to go with our porch."
"You are late," Hope greeted them, when, after a noisy splashing and hasty wiping of faces, they entered the room. "Doesn't Allee's face look funny with that black streak around it where she didn't hit the dirt? What have you been doing to get so warm?" "Planting sweet peas," answered Allee. "Oh, Peace! After I said we would have Mike dig a trench by the fence!"
"As true as you live, I don't believe these shoes will ever be dry by school time. S'posing we have to go barefooted, and this the last day of the term! Cherry, you've got too many columbines in that horn. They look pinched. Put some in Allee's boat." "Allee's boat?" "Well, she is fixing it for Miss Truesdale, even if she ain't a sure-enough scholar yet.
"Of course," smiled Mrs. Wardlaw amiably. "So you think navy blue is what she would prefer?" "Yes, she likes blue, and it just matches her eyes. Hasn't she got the bluest eyes and the goldest hair? Just like Hope's and Allee's. A silk waist would be nice, too. She never had but one in her life." At this juncture a head was thrust through the hall door and an imperative voice called, "Mrs.
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