anned
Audrey's face with interest. A moment later there was a crash against the
door followed by a rattle of plates and dishes, diverting everyone's
attention. Audrey swung round with a cry of alarm. She was not
accustomed yet to the ways of the household.

"It is only Mary bringing in the dishes and things," remarked Faith
placidly, "she always bumps the door with her tray." Audrey wondered what
granny would say if any one so treated the doors at 'Parkview.'
She wondered too, when she saw her, what granny would think of Mary;
round-faced, untidy, good-tempered Mary, with her crumpled apron, torn
dress and untidy head. Audrey did not know then how patient, willing and
hard-working Mary was. She only saw an untidy head with hair and cap
falling over one ear, a red face and smutty hands, and wondered how her
father, who followed her into the room could look at her and not send her
away to make herself neat, or give her notice on the spot.

Granny would not allow her to come into the room looking so untidy, and
oh! what would Phipps think of her?

She did not know then that poor Mary did more hard work in one day than
prim Phipps did in four; did it willingly too, and for far less reward.

"Tea's ready, miss," Mary announced loudly. "Master Tom, you'll have to
pick up your toys now; and look at the litter you've made the table in!
Miss Faith, shall I hold baby while you have your tea? I'll rompsy with
her a bit, and that'll tire her out and make her sleepy."

"Oh, thank you, Mary, she will love that." Faith handed her precious
burthen over to the grimy, willing hands without a vestige of the shudder
which ran up and down Audrey's spine at the sight of them.

"Oh! oh! sausages for tea! sausages for tea!" Debby and Tom pausing in
their entrancing game realised for the first time the unusual luxury
spread before them. "Sausages _and_ jam too! That's 'cause Audrey has
come. Faith, may we have some too? Are we always going to have sausages
for tea now? Oh, I am glad Audrey's come home. Don't you love sausages,
Audrey?"

Debby looked up at her sister with eager, happy eyes.

"Yes--rather--I mean yes, I do." Audrey was glancing about her for a
table-napkin. Mr. Carlyle saw and understood.

"Faith, dear. Audrey would like a table-napkin. Can you get her one?"

"Never mind," said Audrey, "it really doesn't matter." But Faith had
already flown. When she came back again it was with a troubled face and