THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 153 



mean to call on Mrs. Wellson and, if I stay to tea, I can 

 tell whether they sell their berries or not." 



" You're a sharp un, widder Scrabbins. You're think- 

 ing of your own darter, aint yer ? She's a-dying for the 

 squire's son, herself." 



"La oh! " 



Just here the noisy Johnny appeared with much clatter 

 of empty baskets. 



" Say, Mary, have you been waiting here all the 

 time?" 



" Yes," said she, speaking very loud, " I have." 



Voices : " Whist ! She was a-listening, the minx ! " 



Mary's face was white, and her eyes fairly blazed. 

 4 ' Give me a basket, Johnny; we shall not get a full crop 

 unless we hurry." 



m 



Johnny stared. What a voice his sister displayed ! 



The three children worked hard till dark, and then with 

 the piled-up baskets returned to the house. As quickly as 

 possible Mary prepared herself for supper, and went to the 

 parlor. As she entered the room she met a faded, thin- 

 faced woman, in dingy weeds, going out. 



" The intolerable creature has effrontery enough for a 

 whole sewing circle." 



This to herself; for the visitor, only smiles, good-humor, 

 and overwhelming politeness and attention. 



" Mrs. Scrabbins ! How do you do? Not going, are 

 you ? Won't you stay to tea ? " 



