"
"I do think of it," said Ruth, smiling at the happy picture
Jemima drew. And both smiling at the hopeful prospect before
them, they parted--never to meet again in life.
No sooner had Mrs. Farquhar gone than Sally burst in.
"Oh! dear, dear!" said she, looking around her. "If I had but
known that the rector was coming to call I'd ha' put on the best
covers, and the Sunday tablecloth! You're well enough," continued
she, surveying Ruth from head to foot; "you're always trim and
dainty in your gowns, though I reckon they cost but tuppence a
yard, and you've a face to set 'em off; but as for you" (as she
turned to Miss Benson), "I think you might ha' had something
better on than that old stuff, if it had only been to do credit
to a parishioner like me, whom he has known ever sin' my father
was his clerk."
"You forget, Sally, I had been making jelly all the morning. How
could I tell it was Mr. Grey when there was a knock at the door?"
Miss Benson replied.
"You might ha' letten me do the jelly; I'se warrant I could ha'
pleased Ruth as well as you. If I had but known he was coming,
I'd ha' slipped round the corner and bought ye a neck-ribbon, or
summut to lighten ye up. I'se loth he should think I'm living
with Dissenters, that don't know how to keep themselves trig and
smart."
"Never mind, Sally; he never thought of me. What he came for, was
to see Ruth; and, as you say, she's always neat and dainty.
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