he leaf up against the
wall, get down the plates from the old dresser, mix the ash-cakes for
supper, and set the rashers to sizzling.

CHAPTER V.

THE NEW SALLY

When Sally went to the attic, having it in her mind to fix herself up a
little, she had a feeling of anxiety she did not understand. But you
see, it was the new Sally, beginning, just beginning, to spring into
life.

And the first thing she was learning was her own ignorance, her own
needs, and her own wants.

"My head is like a scarecrow!" she said; "where can I find a comb?"

She crept down to Mistress Cory Ann's room and found a coarse,
half-broken comb. Alas! she could do nothing with it. Her ruddy hair
curled around it, across it, along it, but through it the matted mass
would not go.

It had taken a few moments to make the attempt, and time was precious.
So the tangled mop was smoothed over, the old dress pressed down, and
off ran Sally for her secret, rocky seat by the wall.

Not long had she waited when a merry company came trooping over to the
arbor and young voices filled the air. Sally knew the voice of the Fairy
Prince, of his sister Lucretia, and his cousin Rosamond. And when the
names of "Reginald" and "Irene" reached her, she knew that young
Reginald Bromfeld and Mistress Irene Westwood, besides two or three
others, had rustled over to the airy summer-house.

Much it pleased her for awhile to hear the bright and witty speeches
that were bandied to and fro; then Sam Spruce, a colored boy of about
twenty years, in white short sack, black cotton trousers, and white
apron, came gliding over the side lawn, tray in hand, and on it were
small glasses, a crystal pitcher, a silver cake dish, delicate plates,
and very small, snowy napkins.

"Well, Sam," exclaimed Lionel, in the free and easy speech often used
toward the blacks, "what have you brought for our refreshment?"

Sam, who had been born in the colonies and felt pride in his niceness of
speech, replied:

"There 'r' jujube paste patties, macaroons, and sangaree, Mars' Li'nel."

"Very good, Sam. Set the tray on yonder bench; we will see to passing
things ourselves."

There was a cheerful chinking of glasses, much laughter, and the sound
of gay spirits, while, her sharp imagination at work, Maid Sally fancied
herself one of the group above her head; "and yet," she said to herself,
"should my Fairy Prince indeed sit beside me, and hand me fine delicate
food and a sweet drink,