Poor Randy! She had not the least idea of being vain or silly. “Why need the girls spoil the fun of my having a new hat,” said she, and a hot flush crept up on her cheek, but soon Helen’s merry chatter caused Randy to forget Phœbe’s unkindness, and she was laughing and talking as gayly as Helen herself.
Miss Dobbs, the little soprano of the choir, hearing Randy’s laugh, turned and smiled, an unusual thing for her to do, saying: “How are ye, Randy? That’s a dreadful pretty hat.”
“I like it,” said Randy, simply, although her eyes showed her delight that some one should approve of it. “Miss Dayton trimmed it for me; didn’t she do it lovely?” continued Randy, anxious that her new friend should have all the glory which belonged to her for her millinery skill.
“Umph!” ejaculated Miss Dobbs, “they do say you’re pretty int’mit with Miss Dayton, considering she’s from the city.” Randy moved away, pleased with the compliment for her hat, but hurt by the last remark. “‘Considering she’s from the city,’” thought Randy. “Anybody’d think I asked her to be pleasant to me. Why, I wouldn’t have dared to. She wanted to be nice, and I was glad enough to let her,” and she brushed away a tear and forced back a sob which rose in her throat.
Just then something happened to cheer Randy and give her a wee bit of triumph.
Phœbe Small moved toward Randy and fastening her small eyes disapprovingly upon the offending hat, she was about to speak, when, without noticing Phœbe at all, Jotham Potts walked awkwardly up to Randy, and, standing upon one foot, then shifting to the other, he said: “Morning, Randy! Be you going to walk to the picnic or ride? Because,” he continued, “I told father I’d like to have you ride with us, seein’s we have a spare seat, and he said he’d be pleased to have your company. Will ye come, Randy? I do wish ye would.”
“I’d like to, and thank you,” answered Randy, sweetly, with a blush and a glance at Phœbe Small, who pretended not to have heard, “but I promised to go in Mr. Gray’s team with Miss Dayton, so I’ll have to.”
“I wish ye was goin’ with us, but as ye can’t, I’ll see ye at the picnic,” said Jotham, and he turned to get into his father’s wagon; then, stepping back to where Randy was standing, he blushed, and from his pocket produced a little package.
“Here, Randy,” he said, “I brought this a purpose for you to enjoy durin’ the ride, so I guess I’ll give it to ye now.”
“Oh, thank you,” said Randy, “how good you are,” and that so completely overcame Jotham that he retired in confusion. By this time the party was about ready to start. The choir had decided to go in the first wagon and enliven the way by singing, and were still discussing as to a selection from their scant repertoire.