There was something so very social and cheering in the appearance of the room, and the arrangement of the table, with its glossy white cloth, and dishes of the same hue, that Mary felt almost as much like weeping as she did on the night of her arrival at the poor-house.

But Mrs.Mason seemed to know exactly how to entertain her; and by the time that first tea was over, there was hardly a happier child in the world than was Mary.
As soon as Mrs.Mason arose from the table, she, too, sprang up, and taking hold of the dishes, removed them to the kitchen in a much shorter space of time than was usually occupied by Judith.

"Git away now," said that lady as she saw Mary making preparations to wash the cups and saucers.

"I never want any body putterin' round under my feet.

I always wash and wipe and scour my own things, and then I know they are done." Accordingly, she returned to Mrs.Mason, who, wishing to retire early, soon dismissed her to her own room, where she for some time amused herself with watching the daylight as it gradually disappeared from the hills which lay beyond the pond.