"I am sure you are very kind, Mrs. Brown; I was just wondering what I should do about the clothes, for I am going to take them to John Blair's to get a few ready-made things, till I have time to sew for them myself." Ben was standing by his aunt's side, and Kit was on her knee, looking rather shyly in her face. "This is the best frock Kit has got, and it's a pretty little one. Isn't it?" asked he, pointing to the little blue skirt they had been so proud of in former days. "And this little hat," he went on, taking up the black straw with the faded violet ribbon. "We used to think it grand, didn't we, Kit? Somehow it looks very shabby against Baby's. But his is so pretty." Mrs. Gray laughed, and neighbour Brown remarked,--with a shake of her head,--that "Ben was a wise boy for his age." The children were soon dressed as neatly as possible under the circumstances, and little Kit was placed in the perambulator, for her mother was afraid she would be tired, though they were not going very far. "I will carry baby," she said. "And I'll shove Kit," cried Ben. And so they started "to shop." Kit greatly enjoyed the ride, and Ben's heart swelled with pride to see her looking so bright and happy, and he stamped his feet on the pavement as they went along, that he might hear the sound of the leather. It was a long time since he had worn boots. "Is them your boots, Ben, making that noise?" asked Kit, turning round. "Yes, Kit; do you like to hear it?" asked he. Kit nodded her head and smiled. At last they reached John Blair's, and Kit was taken out of the perambulator into the shop. Her mother bought her a neat little print frock, pinafores, a cape, and a straw hat with a blue ribbon round, and then she tried on a jacket, which fitted her nicely, and ended by getting socks and shoes. "I have plenty of stuff by me to make underclothing," she said, "and a piece of light cloth that will do for another frock." So little Kit was fitted out for the present, and then came Ben's turn. He had looked on with admiring eyes while each article was tried on to the little girl, and his admiration was told out by deep-drawn sighs. "Now, Ben, we must find something for you," said Mrs. Gray, as she looked at Kit with deep satisfaction, and imprinted a kiss on the sweet wistful little face. "Something for you, Ben," echoed Kit. "Never mind me," said he, "I'm good enough to push the coach." "Here's a jacket and knickerbockers that would just fit the little fellow, only six and sixpence, a real bargain, good strong tweed," said the man who had returned with the articles. They are pronounced the "very thing," and so after Ben was supplied with a cap, boots, and stockings, the little party returned home with their parcels, and the children were dressed in their new things by the time the father returned for his dinner.