HETTY OS *RED (GOVAN.

“That's done nice,” her mother commended.

“Tf I could just have my hair shingled,” sighed poor Hetty.

“What's that ’bout shinglin’ hair?” said Mr. Prior, coming in; “’fore I
see one 0’ my gals sheared that way I’ll put her in a ’syluin.”

The way he shut the door showed Hetty it would be well not to approach
the subject again. She turned to her book for consolation.

At the close of her work in the library, Hetty brought home a two-dollar
bill. It seemed a large sum in the farmer’s family, where little ready money
circulated.

The next morning Hetty went to pick blackberries with her friend, Angie
Holmes. As they rested on a big rock, Hetty told how she had earned the
money for a new red gown, and the good time she expected to have at Susan
Lowe’s party. Neither of the girls had noticed that Ann Pellet had slyly drawn
near, until she called out :

“You'll make a nice show with that head o’ hair! Susan Lowe’ll be awful
proud on you ’n’ your red gown.”

The two girls jumped up and ran away. The disagreeable Ann laughed
maliciously. She knew her words would rankle in Hetty’s heart.

In the afternoon Mr. Prior harnessed for a trip to the village. He would
exchange some produce, and Hetty could make the purchase of ber new gown.
Mrs. Prior was anxious to accompany her daughter, but her best gown had ceased
to be presentable in the village.

“ You must be sure and get a good quality of stuff,’ she urged ey cand
Mr. Lowe must warrant it not to fade. Pick an’ choose with care.’

“ Your mother must have a new gown soon. It must come by hook or by
crook,” Mr. Prior said, after they drove away.

He was a man of few words. This was, in fact, the only remark he made on
the drive.

It helped to make more distinct a thought that had visited Hetty more than
once. Why should she have a new gown when her mother needed one even
more? Ought she to buy it? Could she be happy with it, even at Susan
Lowe’s party ?

She shut her eyes tight, a way she had when any inward struggle was going
on. That her mother had promised to make it as she wished did not seem to
weigh in the balance in her own favor. She had already had a bright thought
of putting her hair into curl papers the night before the party, so that neither
Ann Pellet nor any other girl could laugh at her. Still, this happy settling of
her difficulties could not blind her to her mother’s need—her mother who
never seemed to think of herself in her care for others.

They reached the store, and Hetty was yet undecided.

“Show my gal some stuff for a gown,” said Mr. Prior to the storekeeper ;
and then left to attend to his own business.