They have a theory that she is
either an idiot or dreadfully disfigured. I had to
tell them I know nothing about it."
"There isn't any girl," said the rector, wearily.
"Sally, do explain."
Dr. Trumbull listened. "I have known such
cases," he said when Sally had finished.
"What did you do for them?" Sally asked, anx-
iously.
"Nothing. Such cases have to be cured by time.
Children get over these fancies when they grow up."
"Do you mean to say that we have to put up with
big sister Solly until Content is grown up?" asked
Sally, in a desperate tone. And then Jim came in.
Content had run up-stairs.
"It is all right, mother," said Jim.
Sally caught him by the shoulders. "Oh, Jim,
has she told you?"
Jim gave briefly, and with many omissions, an
account of his conversation with Content.
"Did she say anything about that dress, Jim?"
asked his mother.
"She said her aunt had meant it for that out-
West rector's daughter Alice to graduate in, but
Content wanted it for her big sister Solly, and told
the rector's wife it was hers. Content says she knows
she was a naughty girl, but after she had said it she
was afraid to say it wasn't so. Mother, I think that
poor little thing is scared 'most to death."
"Nobody is going to hurt her," said Sally.
"Goodness! that rector's wife was so conscientious
that she even let that dress go.
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