"Why, Letty Bright!" exclaimed Agnes, in amazement. "Where in the world did you get the money?"
"I earned it," replied Letty, smiling. "There was not so very much, after all; only it makes a good deal of show, laid out in such things. That whole pile of sheets did not cost as much as your blue silk dress."
"My dress cost only seventeen dollars," said Agnes.
"Well, those sheets cost nine dollars, and the pillow-cases four;—that is thirteen dollars. That piece of huckaback cost two dollars, and the crash one:—sixteen dollars in all." *
* These were current prices at the time of our story.
"But these fine towels, Letty; I am sure you never got them for any such sum!"
"Oh, those were a present," said Letty. "I should never think of buying such for myself. You see they are not quite new. A very old lady, an aunt of Mrs. Trescott's, was here in the winter. I used to wash and starch her caps (she was very particular about her caps), and do a good many other things for her; and, hearing that I was going to be married, she sent me these towels and two nice table-cloths. See what beautiful old-fashioned damask they are,—all marked with her maiden-name in cross-stitch."
"I see," said Agnes. "But you must have laid out your money to good advantage, Letty, to get so much out of it. John won't have to buy any thing of the kind."
"I felt as though that was my part."
"Well, I suppose it is a good plan. But has not Mrs. Trescott given you any thing?"