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looked very like a tea…rose in a field of clover and dandelions；
whose highest aim in life was to feed cows and help make root
beer。
When the girls talked over the new society； it pleased Merry very
much； and she decided not only to try and love work better； but to
convert her family to a liking for pretty things； as she called her
own more cultivated tastes。
〃I will begin at once； and show them that I don't mean to shirk my
duty； though I do want to be nice；〃 thought she； as she sat at supper
one night and looked about her； planning her first move。
Not a very cheering prospect for a lover of the beautiful； certainly；
for the big kitchen； though as neat as wax； had nothing lovely in it；
except a red geranium blooming at the window。 Nor were the
people all that could be desired； in some respects； as they sat about
the table shovelling in pork and beans with their knives； drinking
tea from their saucers； and laughing out with a hearty 〃Haw； haw；〃
when anything amused them。 Yet the boys were handsome； strong
specimens； the farmer a hale； benevolent…looking man； the
housewife a pleasant； sharp…eyed matron； who seemed to find
comfort in looking often at the bright face at her elbow； with the
broad forehead； clear eyes； sweet mouth； and quiet voice that came
like music in among the loud masculine ones； or the quick；
nervous tones of a woman always in a hurry。
Merry's face was so thoughtful that evening that her father
observed it； for； when at home； he watched her as one watches a
kitten； glad to see anything so pretty； young； and happy； at its play。
〃Little daughter has got something on her mind； I mistrust。 Come
and tell father all about it；〃 he said； with a sounding slap on his
broad knee as he turned his chair from the table to the ugly stove；
where three pairs of wet boots steamed underneath； and a great
kettle of cider apple…sauce simmered above。
〃When I've helped clear up； I'll come and talk。 Now； mother； you
sit down and rest； Roxy and I can do everything；〃 answered Merry；
patting the old rocking…chair so invitingly that the tired woman
could not resist； especially as watching the kettle gave her an
excuse for obeying。
〃Well； I don't care if I'd o； for I've been on my feet since five
o'clock。 Be sure you cover things up； and shut the buttery door； and
put the cat down cellar； and sift your meal。 I'll see to the
buckwheats last thing before I go to bed。〃
Mrs。 Grant subsided with her knitting； for her hands were never
idle； Tom tilted his chair back against the wall and picked his teeth
with his pen…knife； Dick got out a little pot of grease； to make the
boots water…tight； and Harry sat down at the small table to look
over his accounts； with an important airfor everyone occupied
this room； and the work was done in the out…kitchen behind。
Merry hated clearing up； but dutifully did every distasteful task；
and kept her eye on careless Roxy till all was in order； then she
gladly went to perch on her father's knee； seeing in all the faces
about her the silent welcome they always wore for the 〃little one。
〃Yes； I do want something； but I know you will say it is silly；〃 she
began； as her father pinched her blooming cheek； with the wish
that his peaches would ever look half as well。
〃Shouldn't wonder if it was a doll now〃； and Mr。 Grant stroked her
head with an indulgent smile； as if she was about six instead of
fifteen。
〃Why； father； you know I don't！ I haven't played with dollies for
years and years。 No； I want to fix up my room pretty； like Jill's。 I'll
do it all myself； and only want a few things； for I don't expect it to
look as nice as hers。〃
Indignation gave Merry courage to state her wishes boldly； though
she knew the boys would laugh。 They did； and her mother said in a
tone of surprise；
〃Why； child； what more can you want？ I'm sure your room is
always as neat as a new pin； thanks to your bringing up； and I told
you to have a fire there whenever you wanted to。〃
〃Let me have some old things out of the garret； and I'll show you
what I want。 It is neat； but so bare and ugly I hate to be there。 I do
so love something pretty to look at！〃 and Merry gave a little shiver
of disgust as she turned her eyes away from the large greasy boot
Dick was holding up to be sure it was well lubricated all round。
〃So do I； and that's a fact。 I couldn't get on without my pretty girl
here； anyway。 Why； she touches up the old place better than a
dozen flower…pots in full blow；〃 said the farmer； as his eye went
from the scarlet geranium to the bright young face so near his own。
〃I wish I had a dozen in the sitting…room window。 Mother says they
are not tidy； but I'd keep them neat； and I know you'd like it；〃
broke in Merrry； glad of the chance to get one of the long…desired
wishes of her heart fulfilled。
〃I'll fetch you some next time I go over to Ballad's。 Tell me what
you want； and we'll have a posy bed somewhere round； see if we
don't；〃 said her father； dimly understanding what she wanted。
〃Now； if mother says I may fix my room； I shall be satisfied； and
I'll do my chores without a bit of fuss； to show how grateful I am；〃
said the girl； thanking her father with a kiss； and smiling at her
mother so wistfully that the good woman could not refuse。
〃You may have anything you like out of the blue chest。 There's a
lot of things there that the moths got at after Grandma died； and I
couldn't bear to throw or give 'em away。 Trim up your room as you
like； and mind you don't forget your part of the bargain；〃 answered
Mrs。 Grant； seeing profit in the plan。
〃I won't； I'll work all the morning to…morrow； and in the afternoon
I'll get ready to show you what I call a nice； pretty room；〃
answered Merry； looking so pleased it seemed as if another flower
had blossomed in the large bare kitchen。
She kept her word； and the very stormy afternoon when Jill got
into trouble； Merry was working busily at her little bower。 In the
blue chest she found a variety of treasures； and ignoring the moth
holes； used them to the best advantage； trying to imitate the simple
comfort with a touch of elegance which prevailed in Mrs。 Minot's
back bedroom。
Three faded red…moreen curtains went up at the windows over the
chilly paper shades； giving a pleasant glow to the bare walls。 A red
quilt with white stars； rather the worse for many washings； covered
the bed； and a gay cloth the table； where a judicious arrangement
of books and baskets concealed the spots。 The little air…tight stove
was banished； and a pair of ancient andirons shone in the fire…light。
Grandma's last and largest braided rug lay on the hearth； and her
brass candlesticks adorned the bureau； over the mirror of which
was festooned a white muslin skirt； tied up with Merry's red sash。
This piece of elegance gave the last touch to her room； she
thought； and she was very proud of it； setting forth all her small
st