“You are just as kind as you can be, Elsie,” Annis returned, putting her arms round her cousin and kissing her affectionately, “but I don’t think Mildred would want me to take it. Anyhow I must ask her first. Couldn’t she buy me one just like it in the city?”
“I don’t know; mamma and papa both said when he bought this, that it was an uncommonly beautiful piece.”
“Oh, it is beautiful! Elsie, so beautiful that I don’t like to have you give it to me—it must have cost so much!”
“That makes it all the more suitable for you, dear Annis. And it is not at all generous in me to offer it, because it does not cost me the least self-denial to part with it. Won’t you take it?”
Annis hesitated for a moment, then said with frank cordiality, “Yes, I will, if Milly doesn’t object. You know she’s in mother’s place to me while I am here.”
“Thank you!” Elsie said delightedly. “I do so want you to have it. Let us run and ask Cousin Mildred now. No; on second thoughts I do believe it will be best to consult papa first. He always knows just what it is best to do. But wait, I want to show you the trimming for our dresses; they must be trimmed alike too, papa says.”
She lifted the lid of a box and drew out the end of a piece of lace so fine, soft, rich, and beautiful in design that even Annis, though not a connoisseur in the article, could not fail to perceive that it must be very costly.
She exclaimed at its beauty, adding, “You could never think of giving any of that away, Elsie! Cousin Horace could not have meant that you should!”
“But indeed he did,” Elsie answered gayly. “He doesn’t consider anything too good for you; nor do I either. But there’s the breakfast bell, and we must hurry down.”
They found Mr. Dinsmore alone in the breakfast-room. He greeted them with a smile, and taking Annis’s hand gave her a good-morning kiss.