deception grown-ups practice upon children, known as "taking their minds off it." Sara listened to the voices of fifty canaries singing at once, and for a moment forgot her mother cares. Ice cream at an unseasonable hour helped also. So did Alice's carrying the book where it would be noticed the least.
The rest of the day had only the usual unpleasant incidents attendant upon doing too much shopping in too short a time, and getting a train, and trying clothes on a little girl who wants everything she sees, and listening to words from one's mother-in-law like, "I think you should not be so arbitrary, Alice dear. How do you think Sara will develop her sense of choice if you tell her what she must have every time?" And this when trains leave so inexorably.
During the day Sara's grandmother slipped away mysteriously with knowing nods at Alice, and came back bringing a tiny bundle with her.
When they got home she said:
"See what a fairy has brought for a sensible little Sara who took a book instead of buying other things. The fairy was so pleased to see little Sara so sensible that she flew away on fairy wings and got something for Sara."
"Did she pay for it?" Sara inquired sternly. Sad experiences of her own had sufficiently taught her that things must not be taken from shops without payment.
"Oh, yes, she paid for it. She was an honest fairy. She paid for it and took it with her. And what do you think it is?"
"What?" cried Sara, with shining eyes. Poor Sara! She was an easy victim for bait like this.
"A doll's coat!" cried her grandmother with triumph. "Yes, Alice, I was an awful fool! But there was a little coat for a dollar and a half that was so much
