"Of course you can! And for a reward here's a dollar with which to buy some black velvet hair-ribbons. Never put any color but black or brown near your hair, Amarilly." "No, Mr. Derry; but I don't want to take the dollar." "See here, Amarilly! You're to be my little housemaid, and the uniform is always provided. Instead of buying you a cap and apron, I prefer to furnish velvet hair-ribbons. Take it, and get a good quality silk velvet. And now, good-by for two months. I will let you know when I am home so that you may begin on your duties." "Good-by, Mr. Derry," said the little girl artlessly. "And thar's something I'd like to say to you, if you don't mind." "You may say anything--everything--to me, Amarilly." "When you go to eat, won't you order jest as ef I was with you--nothin' more?" His fair boyish face reddened slightly, and then a serious look came into his dancing eyes. "By Jove, Amarilly! I've been wishing some girl who really meant it, who really cared, would say that to me. You put it very delicately and sweetly. I'll--yes, I'll do it all the time I'm gone. There's my hand on it. Good-by, Amarilly." "Good-by, Mr. Derry." Amarilly walked home very slowly, trying to think of a way to realize again from the surplice. "I'm afeerd I won't find a place to rent it right away," she sighed. Looking up, she saw the Boarder. A slender, shy slip of a girl had his arm, and he was gazing into her intent eyes with a look of adoration. "Oh, the Boarder is in love!" gasped Amarilly; her responsive little heart leaping in sympathetic interest. "That's why he's wore a blue necktie the last few days. Lord Algernon said that was allers a sure sign." She tactfully slipped around a corner, unseen by the entranced couple. That night, as he was lighting his after-supper pipe, the Boarder remarked casually: "I'd like to rent the surplus fer an hour to-morrer, Amarilly." "Why, what on airth can you do with it?" was the astonished query. The Boarder looked sheepish. "You see, Amarilly, I'm akeepin' stiddy company with a little gal." "I seen you and her this arternoon. She's orful purty," said Amarilly reflectively. "She looked kinder delikit, though. What's her name?" "Lily--Lily Rose. Ain't that a purty name?" "Beautiful. The lily part jest suits her. She's like a flower--a white flower. But what do you want the surplus fer?" "You see," began the Boarder, coming by circuitous route to his subject, "gals git notions in their heads sometimes when they air in--" "Love," promptly supplied the comprehending little girl. "Yes," he assented with a fiery blush. "And she wants fer me to hev my likeness took so I kin give it to her." "Thar ain't nothin' foolish about that!" declared Amarilly. "No; but I never sot fer one yet. I wouldn't mind, but you see she's got it in her head that I am good-looking--" "Well, you be," corroborated Amarilly decisively.