THE APPLE TREE GIRL
grace, and her expression, especially when a stranger turned to look at her, had the supernal innocence which is generally associated with that picture of the little choir boy who is singing his Christmas carol in a beam of light. But all her life her parents, helped by the people of Penfield, had unconsciously conspired to spoil her, and as you've probably guessed from what Aunt Hepzibah said, they hadn't labored in vain.
From the first hour of Charlotte's arrival it seemed to be her part to act as a foil for her cousin's prettiness. And how Margaret enjoyed it! If you were to hear all the ingenious little tricks she did to shine at Charlotte's expense it would make it too long a chapter. Besides, you have probably seen the way such things are done, for they seem to be a part of human nature, like criticizing the minister or pretending that one never eats in the kitchen. You will also probably understand that, as time went
27
