e with ma, until three or four years
ago, when Mr. Mason died. We didn't go there any more then, and I
asked Rose what the reason was, and she said Mrs. Mason was poor now,
and ma had 'cut her;' and when I asked her what she _cut_ her with,
she only laughed, and said she believed I didn't know any thing. But
since then I've learned what it means."

"What does it?" asked Mary, and Jenny replied: "If a person dies and
leaves no money, no matter how good his folks are, or how much you
like them, you mustn't know them when you meet them in the street, or
you must cross over the other side if you see them coming; and then
when ladies call and speak about them, you must draw a great long
breath, and wonder 'how the poor thing will get along, she was so
dreadful extravagant.' I positively heard mother say those very words
about Mrs. Mason; and what is so funny, the washwoman the same day
spoke of her, and cried when she told how kind she was, and how she
would go without things herself for the sake of giving to the poor.
It's queer, isn't it?"

Ah, Jenny, Jenny, you've much of life yet to learn!

After a moment's pause, Jenny proceeded: "This Mrs. Mason came into
the country, and bought the prettiest little cottage you ever saw. She
has lots of nice fruit, and for all mother pretends in Boston that she
don't visit her, just as soon as the fruit is ripe, she always goes
there. Pa says it's real mean, and he should think Mrs. Mason would
see through it."

"Did you go there for fruit yesterday?" asked Mary.

"Oh, no," returned Jenny. "Mother said she was tired to death with
staying at home. Besides that, she heard something in Boston about a
large estate in England, which possibly would fall to Mrs. Mason, and
she thought it would be real kind to go and tell her. Mrs. Mason has
poor health, and while we were there, she asked mother if she knew of
any good little girl she could get to come and live with her; 'one,'
she said, 'who could be quiet when her head ached, and who would read
to her and wait on her at other times.' Mother said she did not know
of any; but when Mrs. Mason went out to get tea, I followed and told
her of you, and the tears came into her eyes when I said your folks
were all dead, and you were alone and sorry. She said right off that
she would come round and see you soon, and if she liked you, you
should live with her. But I must run back, for I suppose you know
mother brought our governess with us, and i