“But which string of beads did Esther send you? I can’t tell them apart,” she heard Aunt Prissy say laughingly.
When the time came for Mr. Carew to start for home Faith was sure that she wanted to go home with him. And it was only when her father had promised to come after her early in March, “or as soon as March stirs the fire, and gives a good warm day,” he said, that Faith could be reconciled and persuaded to let him go without her. She was glad indeed that it was a Tuesday, and that Louise would come to stay all night. Faith was eager to tell Louise the story of the blue beads, and to show her those Esther had sent, and those that Aunt Prissy had given her. Faith was sure that she herself could tell the beads apart, and equally sure that no one else could do so.
Louise was waiting at the gate when Faith came from school. At the first sight of her Faith was hardly sure that it was Louise; for the little girl at the gate had on a beautiful fur coat. It was made of otter skins, brown and soft. On her head was a cap of the same fur; and, as Faith came close, she saw that Louise wore fur mittens.
“Oh, Louise! Your coat is splendid,” she exclaimed. “And you look so pretty in it; and the cap and mittens.” And Faith looked at Louise, smiling with delighted admiration.
Louise nodded happily. “My father sent to Albany for them. A man brought them last night,” she said. “You do truly like them?” she questioned, a little anxiously.
“Of course! Any girl would think they were beautiful. Aunt Prissy will be just as glad as I am,” declared Faith. “What’s in that big bundle?” she added, as Louise lifted a big bundle from beside the gate.
But if Louise heard she made no reply, and when Faith offered to carry the package she shook her head laughingly. Faith thought it might be something that Louise wanted to work on that evening, and was so intent on telling of her father’s visit, the blue beads, and the promised visit to her own dear home in March, that she did not really give much thought to the package.
Aunt Prissy was at the window watching for the girls, with the three little boys about her. They all came to the door, and Aunt Prissy exclaimed, just as Faith had done, over the beauty of Louise’s new possessions. “But what is in that big bundle, Louise?” she asked, when the little lame girl had taken off coat, cap and mittens, and stood smiling up at her good friend.
“Once you said to me that a present was something that any one ought to be very happy to receive,” she said.
“Yes, I remember. And I know you are happy over your father’s gift,” replied Mrs. Scott.