than to call on sick
folks this morning. I'll be by to see you this evening, little girl,
to hear what you think of all the new sights." And he started down the
road toward his home--it was such a little way that he preferred to
walk.

"Now, Mary Jane," said Grandmother briskly, "what would you like to
play while I do the dishes?"

"I'd like to do them too," said Mary Jane promptly.

"A little girl five years old do dishes?" exclaimed Grandmother.

"'Deed, yes, Grandmother," said Mary Jane, much pleased to think
Grandmother was so impressed. "I'm a little _past_ five, you know, and
I can work a lot!"

"Just think of that," exclaimed Grandmother approvingly. "Then we'll
be through in no time. I'll wash and you wipe, and I'll put away. Let
me tie this apron over your pretty traveling dress."

While they did the work, Mary Jane answered all the questions about
Mother and Alice and Father that Grandmother could ask and then, as
soon as the last dish was put away the two went upstairs and unpacked
the trunk. Such fun as it was to put all her own ribbons and
handkerchiefs into the funny little bureau that stood in Mary Jane's
room! And to hang up her dresses, or watch Grandmother hang them, in
the queer little closet that had a latch like a front gate! Mary Jane
was to have a whole room and a whole closet and a bureau all to
herself, and she wouldn't feel a bit lonesome because Grandmother's
room was right next and the door stood open all the night long,
Grandmother said.

When everything was in neat order, Mary Jane put on her dark blue
rompers and big blue sun hat, and they went downstairs.

"There now," said Grandmother; "we're all fixed. And before I do
another thing, I'm going to take you all around and show you everything
you want to see."

They started down the back walk toward the barn that looked so
interesting. But they hadn't gone half the way to it before the
telephone, back in the house, gave a long, loud ring.

EXPLORING THE FARM

"There now!" exclaimed Mrs. Hodges impatiently, "that's the 'phone and
I'll have to answer and see what's wanted. You walk along slowly, Mary
Jane, right over to the barn and through the gate and I'll hurry and
catch up with you as quickly as I can."

Left alone, Mary Jane walked past the wood shed; passed what seemed to
be a tool house because through the open door she saw tools of all
sorts and sizes; and on across the yard toward the barn yard gate