"This is my best dress and I can't reach the buttons in the middle of the back." Captain Cy scratched his head.

Then he clumsily unbuttoned the wet waist, glancing rather sheepishly at the window to see if anyone was coming.
"So this is your best dress, hey ?" he asked, to cover his confusion.
It was obviously not very new, for it was neatly mended in one or two places.
"Yes, sir." "So.

Where'd you buy it--up to Concord ?" "No, sir.

Mamma made it, a year ago." There was a little choke in the child's voice.

The captain was mightily taken back.
"Hum! Yes, yes," he muttered hurriedly.