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The long line of blue check aprons followed the other line of small blue jackets through the wide hall, up the bare, polished stairs, and into the clean, airy chapel. Then, at a signal, every apron and jacket was still. Little Rue's apron had been about midway in the procession, and so she found a seat near the middle of the chapel, where, swinging the small feet that could not quite touch the floor, she looked listlessly out through the window opposite, over a beautiful view of grove and meadow, and then up at the white ceiling, where a great fly buzzed at his pleasure, without having to walk in line.

On the platform a man in fine broadcloth and gold spectacles was beginning to talk; but Rue only listened dreamily.

"My dear children, I am delighted to visit this grand institution—to see so many of you in this beautiful home, so well cared for, so well instructed, and so happy."

Rue wondered why all the men who talked there said that. She wondered if he really would like to eat and sleep and walk in a row and always wear a blue check apron. Then she forgot all about him, in watching the sunlight play on the small head immediately in front of her. What a brilliant red head it was! And then a bright thought occurred to Rue. A few of those