can wait, and I can't. I have only one
Saturday afternoon a week. It'll be splendid this afternoon, Pink. The
Park is all green and flowery, and it's sure to be full. I'm going just
at the fullest time."

"I should like to go with you; but I have business, and I can't put it
off."

"I'll wait, Tilly, if you wish," David said.

"I don't wish it at all, David. I would rather not wait."

"O it's _your_ business too, is it!" said Norton. "And Pink would
rather not wait. Very good."

"It is important business, really, Norton," Matilda pleaded; "it is not
for myself."

"That's just what proves it of no importance," said Norton. "What is
it?"

"David and I want to see Mrs. Staples to find out something we want to
know."

"Might as well ask the Sphinx," said Norton discontentedly.

"I would just as lief tell you what, Norton; only it is something you
don't care about, and it would give you no pleasure."

"May as well let 'em go, Norton," remarked Judy, eating strawberries at
a tremendous rate; it was not strawberry time by any means, but these
came from the South. "May as well let 'em go; there's a pair of 'em;
and they'll run, I guess, till they run their heads against something
or other and pull up so; or till they get swamped. _I_ hope they'll get
swamped."

"What do you mean?" said Norton, gruffly enough.

Judy nodded her head at him in a very lively way over her strawberries.

"They are latter-day saints, don't you know? They are going to feed
everybody on custards--not us, you know; we've got strawberries; but
the people that haven't. Matilda's going to make them, and Davy's going
to carry them round; and they're going out to buy eggs this afternoon.
They expect you and me to give 'em the sugar they want."

"Not so sanguine as that, Judy," said her brother good-humouredly.

Norton looked very much discomposed; but David and Matilda had no time
to spend in further talking.

They found Mrs. Staples at home, and Sarah too, as it was Saturday
afternoon. The little room looked cosy and comfortable; for it was very
tidy and very clean, and the mother and daughter were peacefully at
work. The pleasure manifested at sight of David and Matilda was very
lively. Sarah set chairs, and her mother looked to the fire in the
stove.

"How does the oven work, Mrs. Staples?" Matilda asked.

"Couldn't be no better, and couldn't do no better. I declare! it's
beautiful. Why after I got my hand in, I baked a pan o' bis