"Of course, dearie, I should like it very much," answered Mrs. Harrison, glancing up from her sewing. So Rose sat down on the doorstep and began to read as follows: DEAR AUNT ALICE: I started to school Tuesday, and I'm awfully sorry I was not there the first day, for my seat isn't one bit nice. I'd a _great deal_ rather have the one Altie Crawford is in. She can look out the window and see everybody drive by. There's a real hateful girl sits just behind me too. She is always twisting my curls around her finger; or if she isn't doing that, why, she is borrowing my white-handled knife--the one Mr. Dodds gave me. Miss Milton has a new blue dress. Priscilla took her a _great big_ bunch of white chrysanthemums to put in her belt, and she looked lovely. She is the meanest teacher, though, that I ever had. She won't listen to a word you say to her, and she makes me lend my eraser to everybody in school. I don't think that's one bit nice of her, and its most worn out, too! She just does it because it is a pretty one. There's a new boy named Robert Wilkie, just started to school, and Miss Milton pets him to death. She is always holding him up for an example, but I think he don't know his lessons any better than the rest of us. I told the girls that you were going to send me a packet, and they were all as _excited_ trying to guess what would be in it! I've been trying to be real good, and I help grandma wash the dishes most every day, _especially_ when she looks tired. Last evening I got supper all by myself. I fried potato cakes. The edges were a speck jagged, but they were just as brown and nice! Now I'll have to stop. I've thought and thought, but there isn't anything else to write about. I wonder what you'll put in the packet. I told Priscilla I most thought it would be a ribbon. She's crazy to see what is in it. Your loving niece, ROSE. P. S. Priscilla says she can't bear that new boy either. Miss Milton sent her love to you. "I think that is quite a nice letter," said Mrs. Harrison, when Rose had come to the end. "But however your aunt is to answer it is more than I can guess." "Don't it seem a long time to wait until Saturday?" said Rose as she folded the letter carefully and put it in an envelope which she brought to her grandmother to address. "The more patiently you wait the shorter the time will seem," returned Mrs. Harrison. Rose did wait patiently and cheerfully, and on Saturday afternoon it was a happy girl who rode home beside Farmer Dodds in the spring wagon. As they drew near the white picket gate she saw Priscilla sitting on the horseblock. "Have you got it?" cried Priscilla, jumping down, and running to meet the wagon. For answer Rose held up a square package wrapped in white paper.