yielded, thinking that so perfect a model of
gentility could not err. Mr. Knight possibly might have enlightened
her a little with regard to her friend's pedigree, but he was not
present, and for half an hour more the two ladies talked together of
their city acquaintances, without once seeming to remember that Mrs.
Mason, too, had formerly known them all intimately. At last Mrs.
Lincoln arose, saying she must go, as she had already stopped much
longer than she intended, "but when I get with you," said she, turning
to Mrs. Campbell, "I never know when to leave."

Mrs. Mason invited her to remain to tea, saying it was nearly ready.
Mrs. Campbell, who had also arisen, waited for Mrs. Lincoln to decide,
which she soon did by reseating herself and saying, laughingly, "I
don't know but I'll stay for a taste of those delicious looking
strawberries I saw your servant carry past the window."

Erelong the little tea-bell rang, and Mrs. Lincoln, who had not before
spoken to Mary, now turned haughtily towards her, requesting her to
watch while they were at supper and see if the coachman did not drive
off with the horses as he sometimes did. Mary could not trust herself
to reply for she had agreed to sit next Jenny at table, and had in her
own mind decided to give her little friend her share of berries. She
glanced once at Mrs. Mason, who apparently did not notice her, and
then gulping down her tears, took her station by the window, where she
could see the coachman who, instead of meditating a drive around the
neighborhood was fast asleep upon the box. Jenny did not miss her
companion until she was sitting down to the table, and then noticing
an empty plate between herself and her mother, who managed to take up
as much room as possible, she rather impolitely called out, "Here,
mother, sit along and make room for Mary. That's her place. Why, where
is she? Mrs. Mason, may I call her?"

Mrs. Mason, who had seen and heard more than Mary fancied, and who in
seating her guests had contrived to bring Mary's plate next to Mrs.
Lincoln, nodded, and Jenny springing up ran to the parlor, where Mary
stood counting flies, looking up at the ceiling, and trying various
other ways to keep from crying. Seizing both her hands Jenny almost
dragged her into the dining-room, where she found it rather difficult
squeezing in between her mother and Rose, whose elbows took up much
more room than was necessary. A timely _pinch_, however, duly
administere