e."

The good cheer of the afternoon served Becky in good stead. She was
already helping her mother with the table, and was sorry in a more
understanding way than ever before for the sad-looking little woman in
black, who got so few real pleasures out of life. "Betty Leicester says
that we can have this one summer more any way before we are really grown
up," she suggested, and Mrs. Beck smiled and hoped they would enjoy it,
but they couldn't keep time back do what they might.

"Did she show you anything she brought home, Mary?"

"No, not a single thing; we were out-doors almost all the time after I
made the call, but she says she has brought me some presents."

"I wonder what they are?" said Mrs. Beck, much pleased. "There's one
thing about the Leicesters, they are all generous where they take a
liking. But then, they have got plenty to do with; everybody hasn't. You
might have stayed to tea, I suppose, if they wanted you, but I wouldn't
run after them."

"Why mother!" exclaimed honest Becky. "Betty Leicester and I always
played together; it isn't running after her to expect to be friends just
the same now. Betty always comes here oftenest; she said she was coming
right over."

"I want you to show proper pride," said the mistaken mother. It would
have been so much better to let the two girls go their own unsuspecting
ways. But poor little Mrs. Beck had suffered many sorrows and
disappointments, and had not learned yet that such lessons ought to make
one's life larger instead of smaller.

Mary's eyes were shining with delight in spite of her mother's plaintive
discouragements, and now as they both turned away from the plain little
supper-table, she took hold of her hand and held it fast as they went
out to the kitchen together. They very seldom indulged in any signs of
affection, but there was a very happy feeling roused by Betty
Leicester's coming. "Oh good! drop-cakes for tea!" and Mary capered a
little to show how pleased she was. "I wish I had asked her to come home
with me, she always used to eat so many of our drop-cakes when she was a
little girl; don't you remember, mother?"

"Yes; but you mustn't expect her to be the same now," answered Mrs.
Beck. "She is used to having things very different, and we can't do as
we could if father had lived."

"Grandpa says nobody has things as nice as you do," said Mary, trying to
make the sun shine again. "I know Betty will eat more drop-cakes than
ever, just because