though, to be
sure, it was only the ghost of a chance. Yet for that ghost of a chance
she did linger and wait in the house for an hour or two after Maria had
gone out. Then it began to press upon her that her aunt had ordered her
to get some strawberries from Mr. Sample's for tea; she was uneasy till
it was done, and at last took her hat and her basket and resolved to
run round into Butternut Street and get that off her mind.

She was standing in Mr. Sample's shop, patiently waiting until her turn
should come to be served, when a hand was laid upon her shoulder.

"How do you do, Tilly? You are grown a stranger."

"O Mr. Richmond!" was Matilda's startled response. And it was more
startled than glad.

"What is the matter? you look as if I had frightened you,--almost,"
said the minister, smiling. Matilda did not say what was the matter.

"Have you been quite well?"

"Yes sir."

"You were not in your place on Sunday."

"No, sir."

And Matilda's tone of voice gave an unconscious commentary upon her
very few words.

"And you have not been to take tea with me in a great while."

"No, Mr. Richmond."

"Suppose you come to-day."

"Oh, I cannot, sir."

"Why not? I think you can."

"I don't know whether my aunt would let me."

"We will go and ask her."

"Oh no, sir; she is not at home, Mr. Richmond. She has gone to New
York."

"For how long?"

"Only till nine o'clock to-night."

"Then there can be no possible harm in your coming to take tea at the
parsonage."

"I don't know whether she would let me," said Matilda, with an evident
intimation that the doubt was barrier enough.

"You think she would not like it?"

"I think--perhaps--she would not. Thank you, Mr. Richmond!"

"But, Tilly, I want to talk to you. Have you nothing to say to me?"

"Yes, sir. A great deal," said the child, with the look of slow
meditation. The minister considered her for a moment.

"I shall take the decision of the question upon myself, Tilly, and I
will make it all right with your aunt. Come to the parsonage, or
rather, go to the parsonage; and I will join you there presently. I
have half an hour's business first to attend to. You must carry those
strawberries home? Very well; then go straight to the parsonage and
wait there for me."

And with an encouraging nod and smile, Mr. Richmond walked off. Matilda
took her basket home; carried the key of the house door to Maria at
Mrs. Trembleton's; and set her face up Butternut