"Well, I expect that's so, Luce," said Billy. "You ought to know, bein' a woman."
Nelly went first to Ulrica's. Ulrica listened with wide open mouth and eyes to the news that she would see Nelly no more all winter. At first, her face was very sad; but in a few moments she said:—
"Bah! shame me to be sorry. It are goot! goot! Ulrica vill be glad. Ven you come back?"
"Early next summer," replied Nelly. "Mr. Cook always comes to Colorado in June."
Ulrica ran to the big oak-chest, and opening it took out the blue skirt and red bodice she had been making for Nelly.
"See! it are not done: that goot-for-not'ing Sachs he promise, promise, all de time promise to make buttons."
"What is it, Ulrica?" asked Nelly.
"Oh, you not know? It are gown,—Swede gown for you: like mine child." And she ran for the picture-book of costumes, and pointed to one like it.
Nelly was much pleased.
"Oh! how good of you, Ulrica!" she said. "Mrs. Cook would love to see me put that dress on, I am sure. I will wear it sometimes in the house, when I am in New York, to remind me of you."