But she magnanimously refused to accept it, and returned it to be competed for over again.
Mr.Greatorex, the expert connoisseur in the matter of antiques, arrived at Elise's log cabin and expressed delight in its construction and furnishing.
The cabin was not for sale, Elise laughingly informed him, as Mr.
Farnsworth intended to keep it a permanent fixture on his own grounds.
Also, Elise went on, very few things of value were left on her tables,--but she still had one piece on which she wished to ask his opinion.
From a drawer she brought out the sampler that Azalea had given her and passed it over to Mr.Greatorex, without comment.
He looked at it, at first casually and then more closely.
His face expressed mystification, and suddenly he examined the date minutely and then smiled.
"Very clever, my dear,--very cleverly done, indeed.

Did you do it ?" "Oh, no; it is the property of a friend of mine,--it was done by an ancestor of hers.

You see it's signed and dated." "I see! Oh, yes, I _see_! But you mustn't try to impose on me,--my eyesight is not yet entirely gone!" "What do you mean, Mr.Greatorex ?" Elise was puzzled.

"I'm not trying to impose on you!" "I hope not, my girl, for I wouldn't want to believe such a thing of you.

But you have been imposed upon." "How ?" "This sampler was worked in 1836, not 1636." "How do you know ?" "Very easily.