"Now to think," she broke out, "to think o' me
forgettin' that there; an' I thought I was goin' to
tell you first thing this mornin'. I asked mother
-- and she said she'd ask Mrs. Medlock her own
self."

"Do you mean --" Mary began.

"What I said Tuesday. Ask her if you might
be driven over to our cottage some day and have
a bit o' mother's hot oat cake, an' butter, an' a
glass o' milk."

It seemed as if all the interesting things were
happening in one day. To think of going over
the moor in the daylight and when the sky was
blue! To think of going into the cottage which
held twelve children!

"Does she think Mrs. Medlock would let me
go?" she asked, quite anxiously.

"Aye, she thinks she would. She knows what
a tidy woman mother is and how clean she keeps
the cottage."

"If I went I should see your mother as well as
Dickon," said Mary, thinking it over and liking the
idea very much. "She doesn't seem to be like the
mothers in India."

Her work in the garden and the excitement of
the afternoon ended by making her feel quiet and
thoughtful. Martha stayed with her until tea-time,
but they sat in comfortable quiet and talked

[[109]]

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v?