"
Elnora laid the last arrow point in the pail and arose, shaking leaves
and bits of baked earth from her dress. She reached into her pocket,
produced her money and waved it before their wondering eyes.
"And that's the joy part!" she exulted. "Put it up in the clock till
morning, mother. That pays for the books and tuition and--" Elnora
hesitated, for she saw the nervous grasp with which her mother's fingers
closed on the bills. Then she continued, but more slowly and thinking
before she spoke.
"What I get to-morrow pays for more books and tuition, and maybe a few,
just a few, things to wear. These shoes are so dreadfully heavy and
hot, and they make such a noise on the floor. There isn't another calico
dress in the whole building, not among hundreds of us. Why, what is
that? Aunt Margaret, what are you hiding in your lap?"
She snatched the waist and shook it out, and her face was beaming. "Have
you taken to waists all fancy and buttoned in the back? I bet you this
is mine!"
"I bet you so too," said Margaret Sinton. "You undress right away and
try it on, and if it fits, it will be done for morning. There are some
low shoes, too!"
Elnora began to dance. "Oh, you dear people!" she cried. "I can pay for
them to-morrow night! Isn't it too splendid! I was just thinking on the
way home that I certainly would be compelled to have cooler shoes until
later, and I was wondering what I'd do when the fall rains begin.
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