CHAPTER XV.

SHOW AND SUBSTANCE.

How Charlie Doane made money—Maple sugar—Picking greens—Learning to be a miser—Mr. Doane and the widow’s cow—Free remarks—Marcus justifies himself—Ronald wants a new-fashioned cap—Oscar unburdens his mind—What the girls talk about—Jessie’s defence—Oscar renews the assault—Kate enters the ring—Her explanation—Her good nature for once overpowered—Oscar beats a retreat—Ronald and Otis come to the rescue—A telling shot from Kate—The debate arrested—Mrs. Page awards justice impartially—Evils and folly of thinking too much of dress—The fault not quite universal—Oscar takes back a portion of his charge—Aunt Fanny’s testimony—Little souls—A dwarfed mind—Testimony of foreign travellers—A good rule about dress—An inspired command—Failure of Abby’s father—Telegraph despatch—Free comments—Sympathy—Abby at school—An unexpected placidity, and a sudden explosion—First effect of the intelligence upon Abby—A secret struggle—Shutting herself out from sympathy—One Friend in the time of need—Lessons and consolations—How Abby received Jessie’s kind offices, 271