ng that takes off the family.'

"'Well, well, Betty,' said Mrs. Howard, and Betty knew that when her
mistress said, 'Well, well,' it was a hint to her to say no more on the
subject. Mrs. Howard soon heard from other quarters that the Bennets
were going, but they were not to be off till the Lady Day next.

"A week or two before that time, Betty had occasion to go again to
town. Many things were wanted, and on such occasions Crop did not
object to carry panniers.

"When Betty was quite ready, and Crop at the door, and the woman in the
house who always came to take care of things on such occasions, she
came to ask her mistress if there was anything more not yet mentioned.

"Betty never travelled in cold weather without a long blue cloak, and a
black felt hat tied over her mob.

"'Yes, Betty,' replied Mrs. Howard, 'but you must be very
particular--you must get me two small neat Bibles with gilt edges,
bound in morocco, scarlet or green; I should wish them alike, and a
clear print; besides which you must bring a young gentleman's
pocket-book, all complete and handsome, with a silver clasp; and
lastly, you must bring me a genteel equipage in chased silver, the
furniture quite complete and as it should be, and mind it is well
wrapped in paper.'

"'Oh, ma'am,' said Betty, 'how shall I be able to choose one that will
exactly suit for what you want? I am quite afraid to undertake the
bringing of a genteel equipage, there is such a difference of opinion
about so tasty a thing.'

"'Betty,' replied Mrs. Howard, 'you know I am always pleased with your
taste; and if anyone in the world knows what I like, it is you, my good
girl.'

"Mrs. Howard often called Betty a good girl, though she was too old to
be so called; but it was a habit in those days in which the old lady
lived.

"'I should know your taste, ma'am,' said Betty, smiling, 'by this time,
I should think--me who has lived in yours and your lady mother's
service four-and-forty years next Candlemas;' and so saying Betty set
out."

"Pray, ma'am," asked Lucy, "what is an equipage?"

"A fine carriage and horses, to be sure, Lucy," said Henry. "Lady Noble
had an equipage. I heard John once say, 'That's a fine equipage,' when
he saw Lady Noble riding by."

"Oh, Henry," said Emily, "surely what Betty was to bring with her could
not be a carriage and horses wrapped in paper."

Mrs. Goodriche smiled, and explained to the children what Mrs. Howard
meant: she told them th