bed, and, for the first time in many weeks, dreamed of George and his
parting promise to see her again. The next morning when she awoke she
found Mr. Parker's prediction verified, for the clouds were pouring
rain. "Billy won't come to-day," was her first thought, and throwing
herself upon the floor she burst into tears, wishing as she had once
done before that she had died with her mother.

In the midst of her grief the door was pushed hastily open, and Mrs.
Grundy's harsh voice exclaimed, "Wall, so you are up at last, hey? I
didn't know but you was goin' to take it upon you to sleep over, but
that don't answer here."

"Is it after breakfast time?" asked Mary.

"After breakfast time," repeated Mrs. Grundy. "No, but I guess you'll
find there's something to do before breakfast, or did you think we's
goin' to support you in idleness?"

Here, touched perhaps by the pale, tearful face uplifted to hers, Mrs.
Grundy's voice softened, and in a milder tone she added, "We won't
mind about it, seein' it's the first morning, but come, you must be
hungry by this time."

Although so poor, Mrs. Howard had been extremely neat and as she said
"cold water cost nothing," she had insisted upon her children's being
very nice and particular in their morning toilet. Mary remembered
this, and now casting a rueful glance around the room she said, "I
wonder where I am going to wash me."

The loud, scornful laugh which followed this remark made her look up