he rent owing and the failing crops
were such a very old story that she had ceased to heed it much, but what
would happen if the butter was not sold? The dairy was one of their
largest sources of profit, and, as the farmer had said, the pasture was
good and the cows were good. There was no fault out-of-doors. Whose
fault was it? Molly's without doubt. "But then," reflected Mrs
Greenways, "she have got a sight to do, and you can't hurry butter; you
must have care and time." She sighed as she glanced at Bella's strong
capable form. Perhaps it would have been better after all, as Mrs
White had so often said, to bring up her girls to understand household
matters, instead of being stylishly idle. "I did it for their good,"
thought poor Mrs Greenways; "and anyhow, it's too late to alter 'em
now. They'd no more take to it than ducks to flying." She was startled
out of these reflections by the sudden entrance of Agnetta, who burst
into the room with a hot excited face, and flung her bag of books into a
corner.

"Well," said Bella, looking calmly at her, "I s'pose you're to be Queen,
ain't you?"

"No!" exclaimed Agnetta angrily, "I ain't Queen; and it's a shame, so it
is."

"Why, whoever is it, then?" asked Bella, open-mouthed.

"They've been and chosen Lilac White; sneaking little thing!" said
Agnetta.

"Well, now, surely, I am surprised," said her mother. "I made sure
they'd choose you, Agnetta; being the oldest, and the best lookin', and
all. I do call it hard."

"It's too bad," continued Agnetta, thus encouraged; "after I've been
such a friend to her, and helped her cut her hair. It's ungrateful.
She might have told me."

"Why, I don't suppose she knew it, did she?" said Bella.

"She went all on pretending she wanted me Queen," said Agnetta, "as
innocent as you please. And she must a known there were a lot meant to
vote for her. I call it mean."

"Never you mind, Agnetta," said her mother soothingly; "come and get yer
tea, and here's a pot of strawberry jam as you're fond of. She'll never
make half such a good Queen as you, and I dessay you'll look every bit
as fine now, when you're dressed."

"I don't want no strawberry jam," said Agnetta sullenly, kicking at the
leg of the table.

"Mercy me!" said poor Mrs Greenways with a sigh, "everything do seem to
go crossways today."

CHAPTER FIVE.

MAY DAY.

"But I must gather knots of flowers, and buds and garlands gay,
For I'm to be Quee