Polly needed no second consent, but ran out to call Sary. The sofa was soon wheeled from the chimney-nook into the bedroom which adjoined the living-room at the back. Once it was placed at the foot of the heavy walnut bed, Polly whipped off the cretonne covering that always hid the hideous plush-carpet upholstery. As the slip-cover came off and revealed the red and green and purple design, Polly glanced at Sary to see the effect made. "Oh, laws! Ah never see'd sech a sofy! Ain't it grand?" breathed Sary, lost in admiration. "Sary, it opens, too!" announced Polly, condescendingly pulling at the strap that moved the spring to turn the half into a low bed. "Well, suhs! What next? Yoh Paw must be a milyonaire, shore!" "No, Sary; John saved his money for selling chickens and a calf, and got this for Paw and Maw, when he went to high school in Denver. Oh, we had an awful time carting it from Oak Creek to Pebbly Pit through all the snow and weather!" explained Polly. Mrs. Brewster laughed at the remembrance but told Polly that she hoped she would keep the cover on the sofa. "You don't mean me to cover up the velvet, do you?" asked Polly, aghast at the suggestion. "Perhaps Anne will sleep better if the flowers are out of sight," remarked Mrs. Brewster, softly, but with amused sarcasm. "You-all mought better do that, Miss Pollee, cuz them colors will git sun-streaked in this bright light," added Sary. "I am not worrying about the fade, Sary, but over the fact that the young teacher and her friends will think we _prefer_ such crude articles of furniture, instead of tolerating them just because my dear children denied themselves to give us pleasure. It is their motive and delight that we all felt in the gifts, more than the objects which showed immature judgment," explained Mrs. Brewster, slowly and thoughtfully. Polly was silenced and she suddenly realized how far she must climb before she knew as much as her mother--even though she studied "Art Notes" in the monthly magazines that reached the ranch. "I wonder if the harsh color Maw speaks of is the real cause of that cretonne cover always being over the sofa?" wondered the girl to herself. But she said nothing and the sofa was left at the foot of the great bed. Mrs. Brewster knew she had said much, so she left the room and beckoned Sary to follow her to the kitchen. Polly silently proceeded with the finishing touches to the room.