"I suppose there are servants in the Little House. Lady Cramer said you would require to bring nothing but your clothing. All else was provided." "I will have my own servant girls, or none at all." "Will you be requiring more than one? You might take Aileen, and leave Janet here to look after myself and Donald." "If that pleases you, I'll make it suit me." "Think, and talk over the matter. You will know your wish better in the morning. Good night." The salutation was general, but he looked at Marion, and she answered the look in a way he understood and approved. Then Mistress Caird disappeared for half an hour, and when she returned to the parlor Marion had completed her shopping list. "Aunt," she said, as she fluttered the bit of paper, "I have made out my list. I want so many things, I fear the bill will be very large." "You need take no thought about the bill, dear. It will be a means of grace for your father to pay it. It is very seldom he has a fit of the liberalities. Teach him to open his hand now and then. A shut hand is a shut heart." "But he was so prompt and kind about it. He never curtailed me in any way. It is mean to take advantage of his trust and generosity." "You have to be mean to make men generous. You must keep your father's hand open. Let me see your list." She read it with a smile, and then, laughing gaily, said: "Well, Marion, if this is your idea of fine dressing, it is a very primitive one. You must have at least one silk dress, and what about gloves and satin slippers and silk stockings to wear with them? And you will require a spangled fan, and satin sashes, and bits of lace, and there's no mention of hats or parasols. It is a fragmentary document, Marion, and I am sure you had better begin it over again, with Jessy Caird to help you." When this revision had been made, Marion was still more disturbed. "It does seem too much, Aunt," she said. "I cannot treat Father in this way. It is mean." "Now I will tell you something. I maybe ought to have told you before. Listen! You are spending your own money, not his. Your mother left you all she had, and got your father's promise to give you the interest of it for your private spending, as soon as your school days were over. She knew you would then be wanting this and that, and perhaps not be liking to ask for it. Your father is just giving you your own. Spend it wisely, and I have no doubt he will continue to give it to you at regular periods." "That makes things different. My mother! Did I ever see her?" "She died when you were two days old. She saw you. From her breast I took you to my heart, and I have loved you, Marion, as my own child." "I am your own child, Aunt. I love you with all my heart. Why did you never talk to me of my mother before?" "Because it is always wise to let the Past alone. Give all your heart and sense to the Priceless Present. You have nothing to do with the unborn To-morrow or the dead Yesterday." "But my mother----"