oth Mrs.
Mason and Mary laughed heartily at the widow's curiosity, though, as
Mary said, "It was no laughing matter where the money was to come from
which she needed for her books and clothing."

Every thing which Mrs. Mason could do for her she did, and even
Judith, who was never famous for generosity; brought in one Saturday
morning a half-worn merino, which she thought "mebby could be turned
and sponged, and made into somethin' decent," adding, in an undertone,
that "she'd had it out airin' on the clothes hoss for more'n two
hours!"

Sally Furbush, too, brought over the old purple silk which "Willie's
father had given her." She was getting on finely with her grammar, she
said, and in a few days she should write to Harper, so that he might
have time to engage the extra help he would necessarily need, in
bringing out a work of that kind!

"I should dedicate it to Mrs. Grundy," said she, "just to show her how
forgiving I can be, but here is a difficulty. A person, on seeing the
name, '_Mrs._ Polly Grundy,' would naturally be led to inquire for
'_Mr._ Polly Grundy,' and this inquiry carried out, might cause the
lady some little embarrassment, so I've concluded to have the
dedication read thus:--'To Willie's father, who sleeps on the western
prairie, this useful work is tremblingly, tearfully, yet joyfully
dedicated by his relict, Sarah.'"

Mary warmly approved of this plan, and after a few extra flourishes in
the shape of a courtesy, Sally started for home.

A few days afterward, Jenny Lincoln came galloping up to the
school-house door, declaring her intention of staying until school was
out, and having a good time. "It's for ever and ever since I've seen
you," said she, as she gathered up the skirt of her blue riding-dress,
and followed Mary into the house, "but I've been so bothered with
those city girls. Seems as though they had nothing to do but to get up
rides in hay carts, or picnics in the woods and since Henry came home
they keep sending for us. This afternoon they have all gone
blackberrying in a hay cart, but I'd rather come here."

At this point, happening to think that the class in Colburn who were
toeing the mark so squarely, would perhaps like a chance to recite,
Jenny seated herself near the window, and throwing off her hat, made
fun for herself and some little boys, by tickling their naked toes
with the end of her riding-whip. When school was out, and the two
girls were alone, Jenny entered at onc