"And now," said Mrs.Mason, "there is no reason why you should not go to Mount Holyoke, if you wish to." The glad tears which came to Mary's eyes were a sufficient evidence that she did wish to, and the next day a letter was forwarded to Miss Lyon, who promptly replied, expressing her willingness to receive Mary as a pupil.

And now Rice Corner was again thrown into a state of fermentation.

Mary was going to Mount Holyoke, and what was more marvellous still, Mrs.Mason had bought her a black silk dress, which cost her a dollar a yard! and more than one good dame declared her intention of "giving up," if paupers came on so fast.

This having been a pauper was the thing of which Mary heard frequently, now that her prospects were getting brighter.

And even Ella, when told that her sister was going to Mount Holyoke, said to Miss Porter, who was still with her, "Why, isn't she getting along real fast for one who has been on the town ?" Mrs.Lincoln, too, and Rose were greatly provoked, the former declaring she would not send her daughters to a school which was so cheap that paupers and all could go, were it not that Lizzie Upton had been there, and Ida Selden was going.