“That is good news, indeed.  I have perfect trust in Mrs. Gurney’s ability to succeed where the rest of us all fail; but the next trouble is, I haven’t the least idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in some way.”

“Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also.  She is quite as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker will do what is necessary.”

“Then the trouble may be considered over,” said she, with a relieved sigh.

“I will run into Mrs. Gurney’s myself, and see what I can do for the general good.  How nice it is to have real friends so near!” she added, as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room.

In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she came through the hall called, “Dexie, Dexie, where are you?”

Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying:  “She is up in her room, Elsie; run right up.”

Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the basin, and began to bathe her face.  Her head was bent over the basin when Elsie entered the room.

“Oh, here you are!  What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of day?” was the matter-of-fact greeting.  “You are to hurry up and come into our house and stay to dinner.  Mother said you are allowed, so you needn’t stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery.  You know we always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed somehow,” and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in the brimming hands.  “There is always something for everyone of us in the box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn’t so dirty that it needs soaking, I hope.”

“Well, hardly,” was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to recover her composure; “but I may as well tell you before you find it out yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not so easy to get rid of.  Now, you needn’t ask what’s up, for I don’t intend to tell you.”

“Pshaw! who cares about your pouts?  Not I, anyway,” was the reply, in a high and mighty tone.  “Come along, if you’re coming, and if you’re not, then stay home.  I can’t wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me.”

This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie to keep her waiting, while she made a fresh toilet.

“Now, do I look a fright?” Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie downstairs.

“Well, I can’t say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly don’t look any better.  Your nose looks swelled.  Shouldn’t wonder if you had it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks?  Hurry up, and come along.  We have apple dumplings for dinner to-day.  Do you like milk or sauce on them best?”