66 BERTHA.

children who were playing “ blind-man’s-buff,” and in a few
moments Bertha was as interested as the rest; but, somehow or
other, she was always caught, and finally she knew the reason,
for she heard one little girl whispering to another, “Of course
any one could tell her by her apron. Did you ever hear of
going to a party in an apron?” Then they both laughed, and
the other one said, “And did you ever see such shoes and
stockings? She must have come out of the ark.”

All Bertha’s fears returned, and as soon as she could she
slipped out of the game and hid herself more closely in the
corner, behind the portiére. Myra, having seen Bertha enjoy-
ing the game, had gone to another room, and so the poor little
girl was unnoticed for some time.

After a while Aunt Joanna spied her, and going up to her
retreat, said, “ Why, little Bertha, I thought you were out
playing with the others. Where is Myra?”

“T was playing, but I became tired,” replied Bertha; how-
ever, the distressed little face showed there was some other
cause for her seclusion.

Aunt Joanna looked at her kindly for a moment, and then.
said, “Come, let us go into the library and the dining-room ;
I want you to see how pretty the tables are before they are
disturbed.”

Bertha put her hand confidingly into Aunt Joanna’s, and
they went together. After looking at the tables, lighted by
candles, adorned with flowers, and loaded with good things,