"It's a shame!" burst out Dorothy, with very hot cheeks. "These sort of things always happen to me! Can't we go to Chelmsford and get one ready-made?"
"That's a girl all over!" exclaimed Dick. "Now the man's down, let's kick him!"
Mr. Graham turned his head with a sharp look at Dick, who immediately, getting very red, pretended to be picking up something under the table.
"I didn't say anything about any man!" said Dorothy, appealing all round. "Mother, can't I have a costume from Chelmsford?"
"No, dear," said Mrs. Graham coldly; "this one is ordered."
"Dick is right, Dolly," said her father. "Don't you see it is the people who have had the fire we should pity? And is it not bad enough to have their place burnt, without losing their customers?"
Dorothy sulked. She thought every one was very unkind, and it seemed the last straw when father took Dick's part against her.
It was time for Mr. Graham to go to town. He had eaten scarcely any breakfast, and Mrs. Graham, who had been anxiously watching him, had eaten none at all, but things of this sort children don't often notice.
When he passed his little girl's chair, he put his hand kindly on her shoulder, and the tears that had been so near welled into her eyes.
"Poor Dolly!" Mr. Graham said presently, as he reached for his hat, "everything seems of a piece." And he gave a great sigh.