Mrs. Wilson regarded Barbara steadily while she was speaking.  There was a look of admiration in the older woman’s eyes when Barbara had finished.  “You are a very brave girl, Miss Thurston, to take your sister’s trouble on your own shoulders.  I am very glad that you saw fit to tell me what you have.  I hope you will forgive me for my seeming cruelty, but I simply cannot endure anything dishonorable or underhanded.  To show you that I believe what you have told me, and to prove to you that your confidence in me is well founded, I propose to help you out of your difficulty.”

“You?” queried Bab in surprise.  “I—­I don’t understand.”

“I will lend you the money to pay the modiste,” exclaimed Mrs. Wilson.  “Then you shall pay it back whenever it is convenient for you to do so, and no one will ever be the wiser.  We need tell no one that we met here in the study this afternoon.”

“But—­I—­can’t,” protested Barbara rather weakly.  “It wouldn’t be right.  It would be asking entirely too much of you and—­”

Mrs. Wilson held up her hand authoritatively.  “My dear little girl,” she said quickly.  “I insist on lending you this money.  I am a mother, and if my son were in any little difficulty and needed help, I should like to feel that perhaps some one would be ready to do for him the little I am going to do for you.  Come to my house this afternoon and I will have the money ready for you.  Will you do this, Barbara?” she asked extending her hand to the young girl.

Barbara hesitated for a second, then she placed her hand in that of Mrs. Wilson’s.  “I will take the money,” she said slowly, “and I thank you for your kindness.  I hope I shall be able to do something for you in return to show my appreciation.”

“Perhaps you may have the opportunity,” replied Mrs. Wilson meaningly.  “Who knows.  I think I won’t wait any longer for Mr. Hamlin.  Come to my house at half past four o’clock this afternoon.  I shall expect you.  Good-bye, my dear.”

“Good-bye,” replied Bab mechanically, as she accompanied Mrs. Wilson to the vestibule door.  “I’ll be there at half past four.”

CHAPTER XII

BARBARA’S SECRET ERRAND

After the older woman had departed, Bab remained in a brown study.  Had she been wise in accepting Mrs. Wilson’s offer?  Would it have been better after all to ask Ruth for the loan of the money?  Bab sighed heavily.  She had been so happy and so interested in Washington, and now Mollie’s ill-advised purchase had changed everything.  For a moment Barbara felt a little resentment toward Mollie, then she shook off the feeling as unworthy.  Mollie had experienced bitter remorse for her folly, and Bab knew that her little sister had learned a lesson she would never forget.  As for the money, it should be paid back at the earliest opportunity.

Barbara turned and went slowly upstairs to prepare for luncheon.  She found Mollie sitting by the window in their room.  Her pretty mouth drooped at the corners and her eyes were red with weeping.