"Of course it must be very old-fashioned, and it's very yellow with lying by so long; but there won't be anybody here that knows about the fashions, or will mind that it isn't as white as it should be. So if you are willing to wear it just try it on to see if it comes anywhere near fitting, and if it does I'll have it in the washtub in a trice; and I really think it won't look so badly when I'm done with it."
"How very kind you are, dear lady!" exclaimed Juanita, catching Mrs. Baird's hand and kissing it, her face all aglow with delight and gratitude. "It is lovely! and I shall not care at all for the fashion or for a little yellowness, which will make the lace look all the richer."
"Then put it on, my dear," Mrs. Baird said, smilingly; "and you need not feel over-burdened with gratitude for so small a favor."
It proved not a bad fit, and both thought would do extremely well without alteration.
"Now if you only had a decent pair of shoes," remarked Mrs. Baird reflectively; "but those I'm afraid I can't supply, for any of mine would be a mile too large for that pretty little foot of yours."
"Ah! which would you advise, dear lady, bare feet or these?" Juanita asked, with a rueful laugh and a downward glance at her worn and soiled moccasins.
"Moccasins!" exclaimed Mrs. Baird, struck by a sudden thought. "You've been so long among the Injuns, have you learned to make them, and could you make yourself a pair if you had the materials?"
"Yes, indeed!" was the eager rejoinder, "for myself and Rupert too."
"Then you shall have them," said the good woman, beginning to rummage again among her stores. "I have a nice soft doeskin that will be just the thing. Ah, here it is!" pulling it down from a high closet shelf; "and I have some colored silks you can have for embroidering with if you like."