"Oh, yes, you do; or if you don't I want you to; besides, I promise not to do it any fixy way,—braid the back something as you do, only put it up with a little more style."
Miss Christine laughed. "Well, as you are so very kind as to offer, I'll let you; but when will you do it?"
"Directly after supper, please; that will be time enough. Will you be kind enough to bring your brushes into my room? I think the light is better."
"Very well, it does not make any difference to me. You run out now, and I will be all ready but putting on my dress, before tea."
Marion ran back to Mattie, and then went down to communicate the success of her errand to Sarah and Florence. Immediately after supper they helped Flo upstairs, and had just got her comfortably settled in the only easy-chair in the room, with her foot on a cricket, and a shawl thrown carelessly over it, as Miss Christine came in, brushes in hand.
Marion seated her with her back to the glass, saying as she did so, "I don't want you to see yourself until it is all done."
"Don't make me look too fine," said Miss Christine.
"No fear of that," replied Marion, as she rapidly undid the massive braids, and brushed them until they shone like burnished gold.
"There is some pleasure in doing such hair as yours," said Marion, with all the enthusiasm of an Auguste; "no need of rats or yarn here."
For a few moments she worked in silence, as her fingers flew in and out, until two long shining braids were made; these she twisted gracefully round at the back of Miss Christine's head, exclaiming as she put in the last hair-pin:—