she will get the most work out of the boarders, keep them on the
least fare, and put more money into Mr. Parker's pocket at the end of
a year, than any one he could hire, and this is the secret of his
bearing so much from her."

"But why does she want to fill his pockets with money?"

Sal gave a knowing wink and replied, "You are not old enough to see
into every thing, so I dare say you wouldn't understand me if I should
hint that Mrs. Parker has the consumption, and can't live always."
Mary's looks plainly told that this remark had given her no idea
whatever, and Sal continued, "I knew you wouldn't understand, for you
haven't my discernment to begin with, and then you were never sent
away to school, were you?"

"No, ma'am, was you?" asked Mary.

"Say '_were you_,' if you please, it is more euphonious Yes, I was at
school in Leicester two years, and was called the best grammarian
there, but since I've sojourned with this kind of people, I've nearly
lost my refinement. To be sure I aim at exclusiveness, and now you've
come I shall cut them all, with the exception of Uncle Peter, who
would be rather genteel if he knew more of grammar."

Just then Alice awoke, and Sally, who had not observed her before,
sprang forward with a scream of joy, and seizing the child in her
arms, threw her up towards the ceiling, catching her as she came down
as easily as she would a feather. Strange to say Alice neither
manifested any fear of the woman, nor dislike of the play, but laid
her head on Sally's shoulder as naturally as if it had been her
mother.

"Dear little fellow," said Sal, "he looks like Willie, only not half
so handsome."

"She isn't a boy," quickly interrupted Mary. "Her name is Alice."

"No consequence," said Sally, "he's Willie to me;" and ever after, in
spite of Mary's remonstrance, she persisted in speaking of Alice as
"he," and "the little boy."

Mary soon found that the poor-house with Sal Furbush shut up, and the
poor-house with Sal at liberty, were quite different affairs. Now it
was no longer lonely, for Sal's fertile imagination was constantly
suggesting something new, either by way of pastime or mischief.
Towards Miss Grundy, she and the other paupers evinced a strong
dislike, owing, in a great measure, to the air of superiority which
that lady thought proper to assume, and which was hardly more than
natural considering the position which she occupied. She was a capital
housekeeper, and to one unacquain