nk we kept silk
stockin's for our quality to wear?"

Before the kitchen looking-glass, Sal was practising a courtesy which
she intended making to any one who chanced to notice her next day; but
after overhearing Miss Grundy's remark, she suddenly brought her
exercises to a close and left the kitchen. Arrived at her room, she
commenced tumbling over a basket containing her wearing apparel,
selecting from it a pair of fine cotton stockings which she had long
preserved, because they were the last thing Willie's father ever gave
her. "They are not much too large for her now," thought she, "but I
guess I'll take a small seam clear through them." This being done, she
waited until all around the house was still, and then creeping
stealthily to Mary's room, she pinned the stockings to the pantalets,
hanging the whole before the curtainless window, where the little girl
could see them the moment she opened her eyes! Mary well knew to whom
she was indebted for this unexpected pleasure, and in her accustomed
prayer that morning she remembered the poor old crazy woman, asking
that the light of reason might again dawn upon her darkened mind.

On descending to the kitchen, Mary found Sal waiting for her, and, as
she had expected, rigged out in a somewhat fantastic style. Her dress,
which was an old plum-colored silk, was altogether too short-waisted
and too narrow for the prevailing fashion. A gauze handkerchief was
thrown across her neck, and fastened to her belt in front by a large
yellow bow. Her bonnet, which was really a decent one, was almost
entirely covered by a thick green veil, and notwithstanding the sun
was shining brightly, she carried in her hand a large blue cotton
umbrella, for fear it would rain!

"Come, child," said she, the moment Mary appeared, "put on your
_tea-kettle_ (referring to the bonnet which Mary held in her hand),
and let us start."

There was no looking-glass in Mary's room, and she stepped before the
one in the kitchen while she adjusted her hat, but her courage almost
failed her as she saw the queer-looking image reflected by the mirror.
She was unusually thin, and it seemed to her that her teeth were
never so prominent before. Her eyes, always large, now looked
unnaturally so and as she placed what Sal had termed a "tea-kettle"
upon her head, she half determined not to go. But Sal caught her hand,
saying, "Come, child, it's time we were off. They'll all know it's
Mrs. Campbell's old bonnet, and