"'T would be mean to sell what didn't cost us anything, and what we didn't have to move a finger to get," said Marty. "I'd a great deal rather you would let me give you as many as you want." "No, it would not be mean at all when you are giving up what you have so much pleasure in. It would only be fair to take something in exchange," said Miss Fanny. "Just think!" she added persuasively, "isn't there something you'd each like to have a quarter for?" Marty still held out against taking money for the flowers, but all at once Evaline exclaimed brightly, "Oh, the mission-band!" "Mission-band!" cried Miss Fanny. "Familiar sound! Are you mission girls?" "Yes," they said. "Why, so are we all. We must shake hands all around." They did so, laughing, and feeling like old friends. Then in ten minutes' chatter the young ladies told what cities they were from and what bands they belonged to, found out about Marty's home band, and the newly-formed mountain band she took such an interest in, and which Evaline persisted in saying Marty started. They were particularly delighted in hearing about this last; they thought it highly romantic that the meetings were held in that lovely grove, and were amused by the idea of meeting in the barn in case of rain, and also of Hiram's consenting to join as an honorary member. "Now," said Miss Fanny, "you will agree to sell some of your flowers, wont you? See how nicely it all fits in--we want some flowers very much, and you want some money for your mission work. So it's a fair exchange. Girls," she said, turning to her friends, "you know this is Mrs. Thurston's birthday. Wouldn't it be lovely if we could have about half this clematis to decorate her room with?" Marty declared if she was going to give them a quarter apiece, she must take all, or most of the flowers, instead of half. After much talk it was finally arranged that the little girls were each to keep what Miss Fanny called "a good double-handful," and the rest was handed over to the young ladies. "This is my first missionary money," said Evaline, caressing her bright silver quarter in delight. Marty, also, appeared very well pleased with the unexpected increase to her store. Before separating Miss Fanny proposed another plan. She had already stated that she and her friends were staying at the hotel in Riseborough, and had caused Evaline to point out where she lived. "Day after to-morrow," said Miss Fanny, "a party of five or six of us are going to take a drive to see some falls, and coming back we pass right by your house. We shall probably be along towards the close of the afternoon. Now couldn't you be on the lookout for us, and have some more missionary clematis for sale?" "It doesn't grow very near here," said Evaline, "and I don't believe Hiram would have time to take us to the bottom again after any. He's busy harvesting."