t Sally could sing no more. What would
Mistress Cory Ann say?

"She will not allow it," said Sally to herself.

"Wait and see," cheered her Fairy.

And it seemed that wonders would never cease now they had begun, for
when Sally went about getting supper Mistress Brace said to her:

"If you would be doing some good by your screeching at tunes, Master
Sutcliff has been here, and will pay me three shillings a term for
letting you help at his singing-school. I told him I couldn't be
lending you for nothing, so now, all but Saturdays your evenings will be
taken up. I hope that will satisfy you."

"My dress is not fit," said Sally.

"I will see to that!" snapped Mistress Cory Ann.

And see to it she did. For she went the next day to Goodman Chatfield's
store, and bought a piece of blue linsey-woolsey, which in a day or two
was made into so becoming a dress, that Mistress Brace wished she had
bought the green one, which was not as pretty, but which Goodman
Chatfield held at a higher price.

And Master Sutcliff knew he had made a good trade, for Sally's strong
young voice was true as well, and soon led right bravely the chorus of
many voices. And for the maid herself it was great joy thus to sing with
others, and be taught the notes that she soon learned.

One day Mistress Brace saw Parson Kendall again coming up her steps,
and, curtseying as before, she bade him enter.

"I hear," said the parson, "that Master Sutcliff pays thee a quarterly
sum for allowing the young maid that is in thy care to lead somewhat at
the singing-school."

"Yes," said Mistress Cory Ann, "I could not let her sing for naught. I
feed her, there surely should be some return."

"But she sings only at night, when a maid of her tender years had far
better be in her bed. And she serves thee a large part of the day. So I
think it but thy duty to use what Master Sutcliff gives thee for her use
alone."

"I shall," said Mistress Brace, "and more, too, for I clothe as well as
feed her."

"But not overabundantly," insisted the parson. "I met the young damsel
yesterday, and I think she wore no hosen."

"She hath stockings," said Mistress Brace.

"More than one pair?"

"Perhaps not, parson."

"Then more she must have. I find that I once met the maiden's father, a
well-dressed, goodly appearing man. It puzzleth me that so little should
have been left for his little daughter's needs. A gentleman he was
whose image hath not faded from my mind."