“I hope you bought some stockings and underclothes,” she observed. “Hannah cannot mend your chemises any more, and as for your——”
“Mother!” I said, turning scarlet, for George—who was the Butler, as Tanney had been found kissing Jane—was at that moment bringing in the cheeze.
“I am not going to interfere with your Allowence,” she went on. “But I recall very distinctly that during Leila’s first year she came home with three evening wraps and one nightgown, having to borrow from one of her schoolmates, while that was being washed. I feel that you should at least be warned.”
How could I then state that instead of bying nightgowns, et cetera, I had been sending violets? I could not. If Life to my Familey was a matter of petticoats, and to me was a matter of fragrant flours, why cause them to suffer by pointing out the diference?
I did not feel superior. Only diferent.
That evening, while mother and Leila were out at a Festivaty, I gave father his neck-tie. He was overcome with joy and for a moment could not speak. Then he said:
“Good gracious, Bab! What a—what a diferent necktie.”
I explained my reasons for buying it for him, and also Tom Gray’s objecting to it as to juvenile.
“Young impudense!” said father, refering to Tom. “I darsay I am quite an old fellow to him. Tie it for me, Bab.”
“Though old of body, you are young in mentalaty,” I said. But he only laughed, and then asked about the pin, which I wore over my heart.