t
were scattered many dry sticks and chips.

"Master Henry," said Betty, "here are some nice sticks: let us gather a
few together; they will do to make a fire to boil Mary Bush's kettle."

"Oh, yes, Betty," answered the children: and they set to work, and soon
gathered a great many sticks; and Betty tied them together with a piece
of packthread which Henry pulled out of his pocket; then Betty took off
her bonnet, and placed the bundle upon her head. They went on to Mary
Bush's. The children wanted to help to carry the sticks, but Betty
would not let them, saying they were too heavy for them.

"But we can carry the bread and butter," said Lucy; so Betty allowed
them to do it.

When they had walked a little farther, they came in sight of Mary
Bush's house, down in a kind of little valley or dingle, deeply shaded
by trees. In the very deepest part of the dingle was a stream of water
falling from a rock. The light from above fell upon the water as it
flowed, and made it glitter and shine very beautifully among the shady
trees. This was the same which took its course through the Primrose
Meadow, and on towards the village, and so to Brookside Cottage, where
nurse lived--a clear and beautiful stream as could be.

Mary Bush's cottage was so large, that, after the death of her husband,
she had let half of it to one Goodman Grey, who lived in it, with his
old wife Margery, and cultivated the garden, which was a very good one.
John Trueman's wife was Mary Bush's eldest daughter; and Joan, nurse's
son's wife, her youngest; and it was said of them that there were not
two better wives and mothers in the parish: so Mary Bush was very happy
in her children.

When the children and Betty came up to the cottage, they found Mary
Bush spinning at the door.

"We are come to drink tea with you, Mary," said Lucy.

"And we have brought bread and butter, and tea and cream with us," said
Emily.

"And a bundle of sticks," said Henry, "to boil the kettle."

"Welcome, welcome, my little loves," said old Mary, as she got up and
set her spinning-wheel on one side. "Come in, little dears."

Mary had but one room, and a little pantry, but it was a very neat
room; there was a bed in one corner, covered with a clean linen quilt;
there were also a nice oaken dresser, a clock, two arm-chairs, two
three-legged stools, a small round table, a corner cupboard, and some
shelves for plates and dishes. The fireplace and all about it were
always very