some dinner," called the Motherkin.

She did not dare disobey, but sullenly crept down the ladder and went
out to the brook, as she had been told. The pure cold stream refreshed
her, and she could have dabbled in it willingly a longer time, but again
came the call:

"Come, come; it is late. Grim has to go on a journey, or I should have
asked you to set the table and help me prepare the dinner; but he was in
haste, and has done it all.

"What will you have, child?--brown bread and cheese, good sweet milk,
curds, and cream?"

"Peasant fare," thought Laura; "such as our cowherds at home have. I
will not eat;" and she drew disdainfully off; but the Motherkin took no
notice of her disdain, and placed some food before her. She was too
hungry long to refuse, but she almost choked over the coarse brown
bread. It was good, however, and so was all the rest, and in spite of
herself she ate abundantly.

The old lady smiled whimsically, and bade her, as soon as she had
finished her meal, tie on a long apron and assist her in putting things
in order. This was really unbearable.

"No, I will not do it," said Laura, firmly.

"Oh, my little damsel, do not be ungracious," said the Motherkin. "I
shall have to ask your assistance in many things, for my good, faithful
Grim has to be away; he has had to go in search of a wonderful herb
which heals many ailments, and which is only found in a region far from
here; and as it is to relieve poor sick people, I cannot refuse to allow
him. His absence, however, obliges me to do his work, and I am sure you
will not see an old friend of your mother making unnecessary exertions
that a young pair of arms and legs can do so much better than old ones."

At this Laura opened her eyes in astonishment, and glancing down at her
dress, murmured,

"I am not allowed at home to soil my clothes or my hands; they will get
too coarse and rough, Nannette, my nurse, says."

"No matter for Nannette; you are too much of a lady not to assist me.
Come, we will arrange about the clothes afterwards. I have some pretty
little gingham gowns which will fit you, and we will lay aside these
fine feathers."

Thus appealed to, though in a very novel manner, on the score of her
ladyhood, Laura tied on the apron and obeyed the Motherkin with less
reluctance. She was awkward, and made mistakes. She placed cups where
plates should go, and turned things upside down and downside up. And
when the old lady told her she had