Spencer's new washing-machine, and Amelia Spencer's
new young man.
"Why?" asked the Old Lady, turning very pale. Had anything
happened to Sylvia?
"Well, she's been invited to a big party at Mrs. Moore's
brother's in town, and she hasn't got a dress to go in,"
said Crooked Jack. "They're great swells and everybody will
be got up regardless. Mrs. Spencer was telling me about it.
She says Miss Gray can't afford a new dress because she's helping
to pay her aunt's doctor's bills. She says she's sure Miss Gray
feels awful disappointed over it, though she doesn't let on.
But Mrs. Spencer says she knows she was crying after she went
to bed last night."
The Old Lady turned and went into the house abruptly. This was dreadful.
Sylvia must go to that party--she MUST. But how was it to be managed?
Through the Old Lady's brain passed wild thoughts of her mother's
silk dresses. But none of them would be suitable, even if there were
time to make one over. Never had the Old Lady so bitterly regretted
her vanished wealth.
"I've only two dollars in the house," she said, "and I've got
to live on that till the next day the egg pedlar comes round.
Is there anything I can sell--ANYTHING? Yes, yes, the grape jug!"
Up to this time, the Old Lady would as soon have thought of trying
to sell her head as the grape jug.
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