162 TROTTYS WEDDING TOUR, CHAPTER XVI. A VERY ‘“ COMMON” STORY, ROTTY thought so much about Merle, that perhaps he thought her over there the next day. At all events, she came. She had a new lace frill in her neck, and some emerald ear-rings. At least, she told Lill and Nita that they were emeralds, and Nita was very gloomy about it for nearly fifteen minutes. Her mother would not let her have her ears - bored. “ T don’t wear ear-rings,” said Nate. “O, you’re a boy!” said Merle, loftily. “T never thought of it before,” said Lill, musingly, “ but I don’t see why that should make the difference. I wonder why girls fuss up and boys don’t?” “You ’re polite!” said Merle, growing red, “to say your company ’s fussed up!” “Td forgotten you were alive,” said Lill, “ but if the cap fits, you may put it on. Ifwe don’t go to work now, we shall quarrel. The next one is printed, and will go in like a whistle. Shall I read any of it?” “Don’t!” said Merle. “Do!” said Nita. “T would,” said Trotty.