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look at if she kept her own face serene and sweet。 It certainly
looked so as it bent over the pile of big socks half an hour later；
and brightened with each that was laid aside。 Her mother saw it；
and； guessing why such wistful glances went from clock to
window； kindly shortened the task of table…cloth darning by doing
a good bit herself； before putting it into Merry's hands。
She was a good and loving mother in spite of her strict ways； and
knew that it was better for her romantic daughter to be learning all
the housewifery lessons she could teach her； than to be reading
novels； writing verses； or philandering about with her head full of
girlish fancies； quite innocent in themselves； but not the stuff to
live on。 So she wisely taught the hands that preferred to pick
flowers； trim up rooms and mould birds； to work well with needle；
broom； and rolling…pin； put a receipt…book before the eyes that
loved to laugh and weep over tender tales； and kept the young head
and heart safe and happy with wholesome duties； useful studies；
and such harmless pleasures as girls should love； instead of letting
them waste their freshness in vague longings； idle dreams； and
frivolous pastimes。
But it was often hard to thwart the docile child； and lately she had
seemed to be growing up so fast that her mother began to feel a
new sort of tenderness for this sweet daughter； who was almost
ready to take upon herself the cares； as well as triumphs and
delights； of maidenhood。 Something in the droop of the brown
head； and the quick motion of the busy hand with a little burn on
it； made it difficult for Mrs。 Grant to keep Merry at work that day；
and her eye watched the clock almost as impatiently as the girl's；
for she liked to see the young face brighten when the hour of
release came。
〃What next？〃 asked Merry； as the last stitch was set； and she
stifled a sigh on hearing the clock strike four； for the sun was
getting low； and the lovely afternoon going fast；
〃One more job； if you are not too tired for it。 I want the receipt for
diet drink Miss Dawes promised me； would you like to run down
and get it for me； dear？〃
〃Yes； mother！〃 and that answer was as blithe as a robin's chirp； for
that was just where Merry wanted to go。
Away went thimble and scissors； and in five minutes away went
Merry； skipping down the hill without a care in the world； for a
happy heart sat singing within； and everything seemed full of
beauty。
She had a capital time with Molly； called on Jill； did her shopping
in the village； and had just turned to walk up the hill； when Ralph
Evans came tramping along behind her； looking so pleased and
proud about something that she could not help asking what it was；
for they were great friends； and Merry thought that to be an artist
was the most glorious career a man could choose。
〃I know you've got some good news；〃 she said； looking up at him
as he touched his hat and fell into step with her； seeming more
contented than before。
〃I have； and was just coming up to tell you； for I was sure you
would be glad。 It is only a hope； a chance； but it is so splendid I
feel as if I must shout and dance； or fly over a fence or two； to let
off steam。〃
〃Do tell me； quick； have you got an order？〃 asked Merry； full of
interest at once； for artistic vicissitudes were very romantic； and
she liked to hear about them。
〃I may go abroad in the autumn。〃
〃Oh； how lovely！〃
〃Isn't it？ David German is going to spend a year in Rome； to finish
a statue； and wants me to go along。 Grandma is willing； as cousin
Maria wants her for a long visit； so everything looks promising and
I really think I may go。〃
〃Won't it cost a great deal？〃 asked Merry； who； in spite of her little
elegancies； had a good deal of her thrifty mother's common sense。
〃Yes； and I've got to earn it。 But I canI know I can； for I've saved
some； and I shall work like ten beavers all summer。 I won't borrow
if I can help it； but I know someone who would lend me five
hundred if I wanted it〃； and Ralph looked as eager and secure as if
the earning of twice that sum was a mere trifle when all the
longing of his life was put into his daily tasks。
〃I wish 1 had it to give you。 It must be so splendid to feel that you
can do great things if you only have the chance。 And to travel； and
see all the lovely pictures and statues； and people and places in
Italy。 Flow happy you must be！〃 and Merry's eyes had the wistful
look they always wore when she dreamed dreams of the world she
loved to live in。
〃I amso happy that I'm afraid it never will happen。 If I do go； I'll
write and tell you all about the fine sights； and how I get on。
Would you like me to？〃 asked Ralph； beginning enthusiastically
and ending rather bashfully； for he admired Merry very much； and
was not quite sure how this proposal would be received。
〃Indeed I should！ I'd feel so grand to have letters from Paris and
Rome； and you'd have so much to tell it would be almost as good
as going myself；〃 she said； looking off into the daffodil sky； as they
paused a minute on the hill…top to get breath； for both had walked
as fast as they talked。
〃And will you answer the letters？〃 asked Ralph； watching the
innocent face； which looked unusually kind and beautiful to him in
that soft light。
'Why； yes； I'd love to； only I shall not have anything interesting to
say。 What can I write about？〃 and Merry smiled as she thought
how dull her letters would sound after the exciting details his
would doubtless give。
〃Write about yourself； and all the rest of the people I know。
Grandma will be gone； and I shall want to hear how you get on。〃
Ralph looked very anxious indeed to hear； and Merry promised she
would tell all about the other people； adding； as she turned from
the evening peace and loveliness to the house； whence came the
clatter of milk…pans and the smell of cooking；
〃I never should have anything very nice to tell about myself； for I
don't do interesting things as you do； and you wouldn't care to hear
about school； and sewing； and messing round at home。〃
Merry gave a disdainful little sniff at the savory perfume of ham
which saluted them； and paused with her hand on the gate； as if
she found it pleasanter out there than in the house。 Ralph seemed
to agree with her； for； leaning on the gate； he lingered to say； with
real sympathy in his tone and something else in his face； 〃Yes； I
should； so you write and tell me all about it。 I didn't
know you had any worries； for you always seemed like one of the
happiest people in the world； with so many to pet and care for you；
and plenty of money； and nothing very hard or hateful to do。 You'd
think you were well off if you knew as much about poverty and
work and never getting what you want； as I do。〃
〃You bear your worries so well that nobody knows you have them。
I ought not to complain； and I won't； for I do hav