And I made a mighty resolution! "Never--never--never," said I, between my clenched teeth, "will I again be guilty of the crime of bashfulness--_never_!" I felt that I could face a female regiment--all Babbletown! I was indignant; and there's nothing like honest, genuine indignation to give courage.

Oh, I'd show 'em.

I wouldn't give a cent when the deacon passed the plate on Sundays; I wouldn't subscribe to the char---- In the midst of my dark and vengeful resolutions I heard merry voices on the pavement outside.
Hastily raising my head from the pile of calicoes, I saw at least five girls making for the store door--a whole bevy of them coming in upon me at once.

They were the same rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed, deceitful, shameless creatures who had persuaded me into such folly at the fair.
There was Hetty Slocum, the girl who coaxed me into buying the doll; and Maggie Markham, who sold me the quilt; and Belle, and two others, and they were chatting and giggling over some joke, and had to stop on the steps until they could straighten their faces.

I grew fire-red--with indignation.
"Oh, father, why are you not here ?" I cried inwardly.