yours and mine would
make two; and somebody else's would ha' been three. La! child, you make
me ashamed o' myself."

"But Miss Redwood," said Matilda, in much surprise, "you are always
doing something for somebody; I don't know what you mean."

"Not this way, child," said the housekeeper. "I kind o' thought my
money was my own, after I had worked for it."

"Well, so it is."

"And so is your'n your'n; but it looks like as if what was your'n was
the Lord's. And to be sure, that's what the minister is always a
sayin'; but I kind o' thought it was because he was the minister, and
that Sarah Redwood hadn't no call to be just exactly as good as him."

And to Matilda's bewilderment, she saw the corner of Miss Redwood's
apron lifted to wipe off a tear.

"Come, child, make your short-cake!" she began with fresh vigour.
"There's water to wash your hands. Now we must be spry, or the minister
'll be wanting his tea, and I should feel cheap if it warn't ready.
I've got my lesson, for to-day; and now you shall have your'n. I never
did want many blows of the hammer to drive a nail into me. Here's an
apron for you. Now sift your flour, just as you did for the
gingerbread; and we'll have it baking in no time. Short-cake must be
made in five minutes, or it'll be heavy; and it must bake almost as
quick. Turn it up, dear, with the ends o' your fingers, while I pour
the cream in--just toss it round--don't seem to take hold o'
nothing--kind o' play with it; and yet you must manage to throw the
mixin's together somehow. Yes, that'll do very well, that'll do very
well; you've got a real good hand, light and firm. Now bring it
together, dear, in one lump, and we'll cut it in two pieces and put it
in the pans."

This was done satisfactorily, and the pans were slipped into the hot
oven. Matilda washed her hands, and the housekeeper made neat and swift
preparations for tea. Everything was so nice about her, her kitchen and
pantries were in such a state of order and propriety, and so well
supplied too; it was a pleasure to see her go from one to the other and
bring out what she wanted. Matilda was allowed to take cups, and
plates, and sugar, and butter from her hand, and found it a most
enlivening kind of amusement; especially the placing her own plate and
knife, and seeing it there on Mr. Richmond's tea-table. Then came the
excitement of taking out the short-cake, which had puffed itself up and
browned in the most pleasant manner; and the