"A compliment from her means so much, you know," Miss Ellen reminded him.
David was silent.
"But all the same," Ellen said, "you do need a coat, dear brother. I'm afraid I've been selfish not to notice it."
Mr. David made no reply.
Miss Ellen beamed at him. "You always look well, in my eyes: but it pleases me to have you well dressed, too."
"Well, then, to please you, I'll dress up," said Mr. David, earnestly.
IV
"Does not Mr. Baily take any part whatever in his sister's work?" Mr. Spangler said. He was calling upon Mrs. Barkley, and the conversation turned upon the guests whom he had met at the tea-party.
"That is a very foolish question," said Mrs. Barkley; "but of course you don't know poor David, or you wouldn't have asked it. David means well, but he has no mind. Still, he has tried, poor fellow." Then she recited the story of David's failures. "There is really nothing that he is capable of doing," she ended, thoughtfully; "though I think, if his eyes hadn't given out, he might have made a good minister. For David is a pious man, and he likes to visit."