At last, Marjorie said:  “Now, I’m sure the money is all gone, and I do believe.  Uncle Steve, you’ve been adding some to it; but there are two more things I do want to buy most awfully—­and they’re both pink.”

“I’d hate to have two pink things left out,” declared Uncle Steve, “and I’m sure there’s just money enough left for the two.  What are they, Mopsy?”

“Well, one is a pink parasol for that Elegant Ella.  Not a silk one, you know, Uncle, but a sateen one, with a little ruffle around it, and a white handle.  She’d be so delighted, she’d just go crazy!”

“Let’s send her crazy, then, by all means.  Where do you purchase these sateen affairs?”

“Oh, at any dry-goods shop.  We’ll pick one out.”

Into a large department store the girls went, and soon found a parasol, which, though inexpensive, was as dainty and pretty as the higher-priced silk ones.  They already had a gayly-dressed doll for Hoopy Topsy, and toys for the little children.

“Now, what’s the other pink thing, Midget?” asked Uncle Steve, as they all piled into the carriage again.

“Don’t laugh, Uncle, but you see, it’s such an awfully hot day and I really think it would comfort them to have—­”

“A pink fan apiece, all ’round?”

“No, Uncle, not that at all; something much cooler than that.  A can of pink ice cream!”

“Just the thing, Mops!  How did you ever come to think of it?  We’ll take it right along with us, and after we’ve bestowed all this load of luggage on the unsuspecting Dunns, we’ll come back here and get another can of ice cream for ourselves; and we’ll take it home to a nice, little green porch I know of, and there we’ll all rest after our labors, and regale ourselves.”

This plan met with great favor in the eyes of the three young people most concerned, and Uncle Steve drove to the caterer’s, where he bought a good-sized can of the cold comfort to add to their charitable load.

And maybe the Dunns weren’t pleased with their gifts!

The tears stood in Mrs. Dunn’s eyes as she thanked Marjorie and the other girls over and over for their thoughtful kindness.  The Dunns were often accounted shiftless, but the poor woman found it difficult to take care of her growing family and by her industry provide for their support.

Nor had she much help from the oldest daughter.  The Elegant Ella was, by nature, self-centred and vain; and though a good-natured little girl, she was not very dependable in the household.

But she was enormously pleased with her pink parasol, and after enthusiastic thanks to the donors, she raised it, and holding it over her head at a coquettish angle, she walked away to a broken-down rustic seat under a tree, and, posing herself in what she felt sure was a graceful attitude, proceeded to sit there and enjoy her welcome gift.