don't feel any shame or anxiety about it. You did many a kind and generous thing for Belle when you had the power, and you liked to do it; now let her pay her debts, and have the same pleasure."
"If she looks at it in that way it makes a difference. Perhaps I'd better,—the money would be an immense help,—only I don't quite like to take it."
"Kings and queens sell their jewels when times are hard or they get turned off their thrones, and no one thinks it anything amiss, so why need you? It's just a little transaction between two friends who exchange things they don't want for things which they do, and I'd do it if I were you."
"We'll see about it," said Fan, privately resolving to take Polly's advice.
"If I had lots of things like Fan, I'd have an auction, and get all I could for them. Why don't you?" asked Maud, beginning on her third bonnet.
"We will," said Polly; and mounting a chair, she put up, bid in, and knocked down Fan's entire wardrobe to an imaginary group of friends, with such droll imitations of each one that the room rung with laughter.
"That's enough nonsense; now we'll return to business," said Polly, descending breathless, but satisfied with the effect of her fun.
"These white muslins and pretty silks will keep for years, so I should lay them by till they are needed. It will save buying, and you can go to your stock any time and make over what you want. That's the way mother does; we've always had things sent us from richer friends, and whatever wasn't proper for us to
