Elma went and stood by the window. She looked gloomily out. How shabby and sordid her home was; how miserable everything seemed! Carrie was really a trial to any sister. Elma wondered if in the future she would have to tolerate Sam Raynes as her brother-in-law. A sick feeling crept over her. She was not a particularly refined girl; but in her school life she associated with girls of a totally different caliber from poor Carrie, and a shudder ran through her frame as she thought over her sister. "If you mean anything by that talk about a new frock, you had better speak out plainly," said Carrie. "If you can really give me money to get the stuff, something pretty and cheap, I could buy it to-night; there is still plenty of time." "Put on your hat and we'll go out at once," said Elma. Carrie rushed to her wardrobe, took down her frowzy, over-trimmed hat, stuck it on her towzled head, drew a pair of gloves up her arms, and announced herself ready. The two girls ran briskly downstairs. Mrs. Lewis called from her bedroom after them: "Where are you two going?" she said. "Am I to be left alone in the house?" "No, Maggie is in the kitchen," called out Carrie. "Oh, I am sick of being by myself, and I want my supper." "I must go out to choose the crab, mother," said Elma. "Oh, the crab," replied Mrs. Lewis in a mollified tone. "If you are going really to get one, Elma, be sure you see that it has plenty of coral in it, and choose nice, crisp lettuce. I care nothing for crab without lettuce." "All right mother; I'll manage," said Elma. The girls found themselves in the street. "So you are going to get mother crab and lettuce for supper," cried Carrie. "Then I suppose after all you don't mean to give me money to buy stuff for a new dress?" "Yes, I do, Carrie, if you'll only have patience. I said I would, and there's an end of it." "But how have you got the money?" "Never you mind; I have got it." Carrie walked on, her spirits rose, and she began to talk in her high staccato voice, allowing each person who passed to hear what she was saying. "This is Thursday," she said. "I shall get up at daylight to-morrow morning, and I shall cut out the dress and put it in hand. I am always home between four and five in the afternoon, so I can work at it again until late at night. Then on Saturday, thank goodness! there's a whole holiday. Oh, I shall manage to get it done by the evening, and Sam and I can have a jolly time together in the park on Sunday." "We will buy the crab first," said Elma, "and then we can call at Macpherson's on our way home." "They have sweet things at Macpherson's," said Carrie. "You really are a very good-natured old thing, Elma." "I am glad you think so," said Elma, her lips parted in a slightly satirical smile. Carrie, now beaming all over with good-humor, assisted in the choosing of the crab; she further volunteered to carry this luxury home, and suggested that radishes would be a great addition to the lettuce.