ir and footstool in the same place, and his walking-stick within reach
of his hand: and he perceived, now that summer was come, and flowers
could be had for the gathering, that a vase of sweet-scented blossoms was
always near him; but the blind man did not know that it was Mary's
thoughtfulness alone which now provided for his comfort. And yet he had
a strange idea; he began to fancy that Harriet's voice was growing shrill
and querulous! How singular it was, for no one else had observed it; but
it is one of the merciful dispensations of the Almighty, by which we are
guarded, that when man is deprived of one faculty, the others are almost
always sharpened, to make up, in some measure, for the deficiency. Thus,
though poor Mr. Mannering could not see the frown or distressed
expression which often crossed Harriet's face, he _could_ distinguish the
different modulation of her voice, which was but another expression of
her feelings.

But why was Harriet distressed, ask some of my young readers, now that
she was about enjoying again the fine clothes and all the luxuries which
she had so much regretted?

Listen to a conversation which took place between the sisters, two or
three days before Harriet's departure, and then, perhaps, you will be
able to guess some of the reasons. Mary had just returned from guiding
her dear papa in a pleasant shady walk, and now, throwing off her bonnet,
and putting on her apron, she prepared to lay the cloth for dinner; for
as they had only one servant, and that was a mere country girl, to do the
drudgery of household work, Mary assisted by performing a thousand little
offices, which Harriet was too haughty to undertake.

"Cannot you come and help me?" said Harriet, who had been sitting at home
all the morning making one of her new dresses. "I shall never get this
sleeve finished if you do not. I am sure Peggy, (that was the servant,)
I am sure, for once, Peggy can get the dinner ready without your
assistance."

"No, Harriet, not exactly as papa likes it," replied Mary; "and you know
we are always so sorry when anything happens to remind him of his
misfortunes."

"But how should you know how to mash potatoes, or make pies, or hash meat
so much better than Peggy?" asked Harriet.

"Did I never tell you that, before we left the great house, I asked old
cook to teach me how to do a great many things. I cannot tell how it
was, but she cried all the while she was telling me about cookery--