"Mrs. Dunn is a little disappointing," Peggy observed at last. "She doesn’t seem quite--sincere." That was as severe as Peggy could very well be on short acquaintance. "But as for Jimmy," she went on with sudden enthusiasm, "that boy’s got lots of good in him." And in both particulars Priscilla agreed with her. *CHAPTER IX* *PEGGY ACTS AS CRITIC* Peggy’s thoughts, busy with plans for the relief of the Dunn family, were turned abruptly into another channel at the supper-table. "O, by the way, Peggy," her mother said, "you had a caller this afternoon, Mrs. Summerfield Ely." "She came in a naughty-mobeel," exclaimed Dorothy, almost choking over the long word in her eagerness to get it out before anybody else had a chance. "My! Doesn’t she think she’s swell," scoffed Dick. "Fur coat and a dress that trails." Of all manifestations of feminine vanity a trained gown called forth from Dick the most outspoken expressions of contempt. "It seems," explained Mrs. Raymond, ignoring her son’s outburst, "that she was at your Bazar, and bought a collar, Irish lace, I believe." "O, yes, mother. That was Elaine’s collar. I was a little worried for fear nobody would buy it, but not because it wasn’t nice enough. I was afraid it was _too_ nice. Lots of people come to our Bazar with just about fifty cents to spend, and I was sure the price of the collar would look dreadfully big to nearly everybody. But we really couldn’t mark it less than it was worth." "Certainly not," agreed Mrs. Raymond. "And then Mrs. Summerfield Ely came in, and I was sure the collar was as good as sold, for it was really the nicest thing there, mother. Just as soon as I could get the chance I called her attention to it, and she looked at it a minute through her lorgnette--" "O, say," sneered Dick, "why doesn’t she wear spectacles if she needs ’em?" "And she said right off, ’I’ll take that,’" continued Peggy tranquilly; "I was so glad, especially on Elaine’s account. It makes you feel horrid to put lots of work into a thing and have it left over." Having relieved her mind, Peggy was now ready to listen to other people. "What did Mrs. Ely want of me, mother?" "She wants to order a pair of cuffs to match the collar. She wasn’t sure who did the work, but she thought you could tell her. I am very glad," added Mrs. Raymond, "for, of course, she will pay a good price, and, from what you tell me, I fancy that Elaine needs the money. Why, what are you going to do, Peggy?" The impulsive Peggy, starting up from her unfinished supper, flushed guiltily and sat down again. "I was going to run over and tell Elaine," she confessed. "But I suppose the news will keep."