than five miles long,
and a mile or so wide, and in York State I s'pose they'd call it a
lake, but here in old Massachusetts we stick to fust principles, and
call all things by their right names."

"How far is the pond from Mrs. Mason's?" asked Mary, casting longing
glances towards the distant sandy beach, and the graceful trees which
drooped over the water's edge.

"It's farther back than 'tis there, 'cause it's up bill all the way,"
said Mr. Knight, "but here we be at Miss Mason's,--this house right
here," and he pointed to a neat, handsome cottage, almost hidden from
view by the dense foliage which surrounded it.

There was a long lawn in front, and into the carriage road on the
right of it Mr. Knight turned, and driving up to a side door; said to
Mary, "Come, jump down, for my foot is so lame I don't believe I'll
get out. But there's your chest. You can't lift that. Hallo, Judith,
come 'ere."

In answer to this call, a fat, pleasant-looking colored woman appeared
in the doorway, and as if fresh from the regions of cookdom, wiped the
drops of perspiration from her round jolly face.

"Here, Judith," said Mr Knight, "help this gal lift her traps out."

Judith complied, and then bidding old Charlotte to "get up," Mr.
Knight drove away, leaving Mary standing by the kitchen door.

"Come in and sit down," said Judith, pushing a chair towards Mary
with her foot. "It's as hot here as oven, but I had crambry sass and
ginger snaps, and massy knows what to make this morning, and I got
belated; but set down and make yourself to home."

Mary took the proffered seat, and then Judith left the room for a few
moments, saying when she returned, that as Mrs. Mason was still
suffering from a headache, she could not see Mary until after dinner.
"And," continued Judith "she told me to entertain you, but I don't
know what to say, nor do first. Harry died just a week to a day before
he was to be married, and so I never had any little girls to talk to.
Can't you think of something to talk about? What have you been used to
doing?"

"Washing dishes," was Mary's reply, after glancing about the room, and
making sure that on this occasion there were none to wash.

"Wall," answered Judith, "I guess you won't have that to do here; for
one night when some of the neighbors were in, I heard Miss Mason tell
'em that she got you to read to her and wait on her. And then she said
something about your not having an equal chance with your sister