She paused--but not a word was spoken--and in a moment she went on. "I did not know how to choose between you, for you are all so sweet to me, so I made a plan to find out--with Sam's help--a little about your characteristics. The virtue I prize almost above all others, is--truthfulness, honest, outspoken truth. The bad fish, the salted cream, and the odious spread were tests, and only one of you stood the test and spoke the honest truth. I am glad that _one_ did, for otherwise I should not have found, in my own family, one I could adopt and depend upon." She paused; not a word was said. "Ruth," she began again, turning to that confused, and blushing, and utterly amazed girl, "Ruth, will you come to live with me, take the place of a daughter, and occupy that room?" "You ask _me_?" cried Ruth, "clumsy and awkward as I am! I never dreamed you could want me!" "I know you did not," said Aunt Betty; "but your habit of truthfulness is far more valuable to me than the deftest fingers or the most finished manners. Will you come?" "Oh, yes, indeed!" cried Ruth, falling on her knees and burying her face in Aunt Betty's lap, while happy tears fell from her eyes, and Aunt Betty gently stroked her hair. "Well, well," said Jenny, with a sigh, as the two girls walked slowly home, "I always knew Aunt Betty was the crankiest woman in the world, and if Ruth wasn't so perfectly sincere I should almost think that she"-- She paused, and Grace broke in. "Yes; I'm perfectly sure Ruth is not capable of putting on; besides, we always knew she couldn't deceive to save her life." * * * * * "Hush," said mamma, as Kristy was about to speak. "Here comes Mrs. Wilson." Mrs. Wilson, the next door neighbor, walked in, explaining that she had come in the rain because she was all alone in her house and was lonely, and seeing Mrs. Crawford sewing by the window, thought she would bring her work and join her. Mrs. Crawford welcomed her, but Kristy was disturbed. "Mrs. Wilson," she began, "don't you think a person ought to keep her promise?" "Why, certainly," said Mrs. Wilson. "Kristy! Kristy!" said her mother warningly. "I'm just going to ask Mrs. Wilson," said Kristy, with a twinkle in her eye, "if she doesn't think you ought to _go_ on telling me stories, when you promised to do it as long as it rained. She likes to hear stories, too, I'm sure." Mrs. Wilson laughed. "Of course I do, and I shall be delighted, I'm sure. Your mother must be a master hand at the business, for I never knew such a story-lover as you, Kristy." "I've about told myself out," said Mrs. Crawford. "Kristy, I think you really ought to excuse me now." "How will it do if I tell you one to rest mamma?" asked Mrs. Wilson. "I happen to be much interested just now in a story that is still going on in town." "Do tell it!" said Kristy. "I can get mamma to keep her promise this evening."