It was after they had left the dining-room, that Blue Bonnet, pausing at her uncle's door, asked Carita if she would mind going on to their rooms for just a minute: she had something she must say to Uncle Cliff alone--a secret. "It's this, Uncle Cliff," she said, when the door had closed, "I want to talk something over with you before Aunt Lucinda comes. You see, I'm not quite sure she'd approve of it, and I want so much to do it. That is--I want to, if we can--without hurting anybody's feelings." "All right, Honey. What is it?" She was holding on to Uncle Cliff's coat lapels now, and looking up into his face with the childish trust and confidence she had shown since babyhood, and the man's arm went round her as of old, protectingly. "You see, it's this way, Uncle Cliff. There's that dinner for the Lambs and the We Are Sevens to-morrow night. Every single one of the Lambs ordered a new gown to wear. I didn't want them to--but they would do it--and--I'm afraid it's going to make the We Are Sevens sort of uncomfortable. So I was thinking, Uncle Cliff--I was _wishing_ that--we--you and I, maybe--could have a little shopping expedition to-morrow morning and--" She stopped short, not knowing how to go on without putting herself in the wrong light. "You understand--don't you, Uncle Cliff? It isn't that I'd be ashamed of the girls; you know that. Their clothes are all right--only I know how girls feel not to be dressed quite like others. It makes them awkward and ill at ease, and--" Mr. Ashe bent over and imprinted a kiss on the brown head, and for a moment his eyes were suspiciously bright. "I understand perfectly, Honey," he said. "But just how could we do it, Uncle Cliff--get them some pretty things without making them think--that--that their things weren't right,--good enough, you know? It's an awfully delicate matter." [Illustration: "SHE WAS HOLDING ON TO UNCLE CLIFF'S COAT LAPELS."] "So it is, Honey, but I think we can find a way. Was it some pretty frocks you wanted to give them?" "Oh, if I only _could_, Uncle Cliff. Gowns and slippers to match, and I'd thought of some pretty evening wraps, too. You see, we're going to the theatre, and supper afterward, and the Lambs have such pretty ones. We could afford it, couldn't we? There's no one to spend money on but poor little me." Mr. Ashe laughed as he smoothed out a pucker in his niece's brow. "I don't think you need worry about the expense," he said. "You are very fortunate in that respect, Blue Bonnet, and you know I always approve of spending money where it means happiness. Do you need a new frock, too,--and Carita, perhaps?" "We could each use one," Blue Bonnet answered, "though I suppose Aunt Lucinda wouldn't exactly think _I_ needed it."