Nobody is goin' to see you.

If anybody comes in that I think is goin' to mind, you can just slip up-stairs, and put on your black dress.

It isn't as if you had a little sister to take your things--they ought to be worn out." It therefore happened that Maria was dressed the greater part of the time, in her own home, where she missed her mother most, in bright-colored array, and in funeral attire outside.

She told her father about it, but he had not a large income, and it had been severely taxed by his wife's almost tragic illness and death.
Besides, if the truth were known, he disliked to see Maria in mourning, and the humor of the thing also appealed to him.
"You had better wear what your aunt says, dear.

You feel just the same in your heart, don't you ?" asked Harry Edgham, with that light laugh of his, which always so shocked his serious little daughter.
"Yes, sir," she replied, with a sob.
"Well, then, do just as your aunt says, and be a good little girl," said Harry, and he went hastily out on the porch with his cigar.
Nothing irritated him so much as to see Maria weep for her mother.