Chapter VIII

           “Weel,Ibedrawedon!”exclaimedMrs.Duncan.

           Frecklesstoodbeforeher,holdingtheAngel’shat.

           “I’vebeenthinkingthislongtimethatyeorDuncanwouldseethatsunbonnetswerenabrawenoughforawomanofmystanding,andye’reaguidladdietobringmethisbeautifulhat.”

           Sheturneditaround,examiningtheweaveofthestrawandthefoliagetrimmings,passingherroughfingersoverthesatintiesdelightedly.Asshehelditup,admiringit,Freckles’astonishedeyessawanewsideofSarahDuncan.Shewasjesting,butunderthejestthefactloomedstrongthat,thoughpoor,overworked,andwithnonebutGod-givenrefinement,therewassomethinginhersoulcryingafterthatbitoffemininefinery,anditmadehisheartacheforher.Heresolvedthatwhenhereachedthecityhewouldsendherahat,ifittookfiftydollarstodoit.

           Shelingeringlyhandeditbacktohim.

           “It’suncoguidofyetothinkofme,”shesaidlightly,“butImaunquestionyourtasteawee.D’yenothinkyehadbestreturnthisandgetawomanwithhalfherhairgrayalittleplainerheaddress?Seemslikethat’sfarowergayforme.I’mno’sayingthatit’sno’exactlywhatI’dliketohae,butImaunamakmysel’ridiculous.Ye’dbestgivethistosomebodyyoungandpretty,sayaboutsixteen.Wheredidyecomebyit,Freckles?Ifthere’sanythingbeendroppinglately,yehaeforgottentomentionit.”

           “Doyouseeanythingheavenlyaboutthathat?”queriedFreckles,holdingitup.