Mrs. Brewster laughed at the remembrance but told Polly that she hoped
she would keep the cover on the sofa.
"You don't mean me to cover up the velvet, do you?" asked Polly, aghast
at the suggestion.
"Perhaps Anne will sleep better if the flowers are out of sight,"
remarked Mrs. Brewster, softly, but with amused sarcasm.
"You-all mought better do that, Miss Pollee, cuz them colors will git
sun-streaked in this bright light," added Sary.
"I am not worrying about the fade, Sary, but over the fact that the
young teacher and her friends will think we _prefer_ such crude
articles of furniture, instead of tolerating them just because my dear
children denied themselves to give us pleasure. It is their motive and
delight that we all felt in the gifts, more than the objects which
showed immature judgment," explained Mrs. Brewster, slowly and
thoughtfully.
Polly was silenced and she suddenly realized how far she must climb
before she knew as much as her mother--even though she studied "Art
Notes" in the monthly magazines that reached the ranch.
"I wonder if the harsh color Maw speaks of is the real cause of that
cretonne cover always being over the sofa?" wondered the girl to
herself. But she said nothing and the sofa was left at the foot of the
great bed.
Mrs. Brewster knew she had said much, so she left the room and beckoned
Sary to follow her to the kitchen. Polly silently proceeded with the
finishing touches to the room.
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