"Well, I d'know," said Aunt Patty, with some hesitation. "Seems like it would be downright sinful for me to spend all that money trickin' myself out. It's needed on other things a sight more. I'm old, an' it don't matter much how I'm dressed. Folks are so used to seein' me in my old clothes that they don't notice me no more. It's diff'rent with you girls. You're young, 'n' it's natural for you to want to look pretty 'n' fash'nable." "I think we all ought to take pride in looking nice, whether we are old or young," said Ida, looking a little irritated. "Aunt Stina thinks a great deal of personal appearance." "Well, I don't wonder at it. Your Aunt Stina's a fine-looking woman, 'n' she's been wrapped up in pink cotton all her life." Aunt Patty smiled as she spoke. "But it's diff'rent with me. I'm used to hard work, 'n' I never had the money to buy fine feathers. Look at my hands." She held out two knotted brown hands, rough and stained with toil. "I guess they ain't much like your Aunt Stina's, but I'm thankful for 'em, all the same." "Most of the work your hands have done has been for others," said Cynthia, warmly. "Suppose we go back to the question of spending that money," said Ida. "Aunt Patty, won't you buy at least _one_ new dress for yourself?" "I won't make no promises," answered Aunt Patty. "I c'n tell better about it later on." Ida felt vexed, and she allowed herself to make several unkind little speeches which caused a flush to rise to Aunt Patty's kindly old face, and once tears gathered thickly in her faded dark eyes. But she concealed her emotion by making a trip to the pantry for some pineapple jam, of which Ida was particularly fond, and she said nothing unkind in return. "It's hard on her to have to stay in this dull place all summer, after the gay times she's had in the city," the old lady said to Cynthia, during Ida's temporary absence from the kitchen. "We mustn't mind it if she says sharp little things once in a while. Ida's got a good heart; it's only crusted over." "If I thought it would be of any use I'd ask Aunt Stina to take her abroad," said Cynthia, for Mrs. Chase's departure had been unavoidably delayed by some business complications, and she was still in the city, boarding at a fashionable hotel, having closed her house. "It wouldn't be no use, dearie," said Aunt Patty, with a sigh.