“Milly,” Annis said, following her sister, as usual, when she retired for the night to her own apartments, “what shall I wear to the party? Have I anything suitable?”
“I’m afraid not, dear; but you shall have a new dress and as pretty a one as can be found. We have ten days for the buying and making.”
“But there won’t be time to ask father or mother if I may have it.”
“And no need,” Mildred said gayly. “I am rich now, you know, and it will be a dear delight to me to deck my little pet sister for the party.”
“Oh, thank you! Milly, you’re just the best and kindest sister in the world!” exclaimed the little girl, dancing about in delight, then stopping short to throw her arms about Mildred and give her a vigorous hug and kiss.
Mildred returned the embrace, saying with a quiet smile, “You forget that I am pleasing myself. And don’t you think Zillah, Ada, or Fan would do as much for you under the same circumstances?”
“Yes; and I think I should for them. I think we all love one another very much; and ah, but I do want to hear how they like their presents!”
“They won’t get them for some weeks yet, you must remember, and then their letters of acknowledgment will take some time to reach us.”
“Milly, what sort of dress shall it be?” Annis asked, going back to the original topic of discourse.
“Something white I think; but we can decide better upon the material when we see what they have in the stores.”