Alex and Emma and little Helen--who is a pretty big Helen now--are to be my escorts as far as Buffalo on their way to Niagara.

After that is all plain sailing, and Jane Carter and I can manage very well for ourselves.

It seems like a dream to think that I may see you all so soon; but it is such a pleasant one that I would not wake up on any account.
I have a little gift which I shall bring you myself, my Katy; but I have a fancy also that you shall wear some trifling thing on your wedding-day which comes from me, so for fear of being forestalled I will say now, please don't buy any stockings for the occasion, but wear the pair which go with this, for the sake of your loving COUSIN HELEN.
"These must be they," cried Elsie, pouncing on one of the little packages.
"May I cut the string, Katy ?" Permission was granted; and Elsie cut the string.

It was indeed a pair of beautiful white silk stockings embroidered in an open pattern, and far finer than anything which Katy would have thought of choosing for herself.
"Don't they look exactly like Cousin Helen ?" she said, fondling them.

"Her things always are choicer and prettier than anybody's else, somehow.