"Girls, what are you doing out in this dew?" said Mr. Van Alstine, coming in at the gate. "It is enough to wet you through and through, and give you both rheumatism."
"And to take all the stiffness out of my new piqué," exclaimed Gerty, in alarm. "And I dare say I have soiled the bottom on this horrid tanbark walk. Now, if that is not too bad!"
"You should have had more wit," said Mr. Van Alstine. "Come, never mind; it's only calico, isn't it?"
"Calico, indeed! My beautiful new piqué that I gave a dollar a yard for at Stewart's! I might have known better. Come, Marion, let's go in."
"Do you really want to go home with Gerty, Marion, or is it only one of her fancies?" said her mother the next day.
"I told her I would go if you were willing to have me," answered Marion. "She seems to be very lonely and to want me for company, and perhaps I can be of some use to her."
"I dare say you can. Most people can be of use if they are willing to be taught the right way," said her mother, somewhat dryly. "I dare say you will find such a visit pleasant for a little while. The Bottom is a pretty place, and I should like to have you know the minister. He was a friend of mine when I needed a friend very much, and it was by his means that I came to the valley in the first place. He has a very nice family of daughters."
"Gerty does not seem to like him very much," said Marion.
"So I hear. She says some of the young people think he is growing too old, and want a young minister."
"Well, I must say I think that is a queer taste," said Marion. "I don't understand it a bit. I do think an old minister is so very much nicer than a young one."