They looked upon the thing as a freak of girlhood which drifted into eccentricity, from sheer idleness; yet they were not the less ready to teach Mary anything she desired to learn.

They told her those secret arts by which coppers and brasses are made things of beauty, and meet adornment for an old oak mantelshelf.

They allowed her to look on at the milking of the cow, and at the churning of the butter; and at bread making, and cake making, and pie and pudding making; and some pleasant hours were spent in the acquirement of this useful knowledge.

Mary did not neglect the invalid during this new phase of her existence.

Lady Maulevrier was a lover of routine, and she liked her granddaughter to go to her at the same hour every day.