el of children decked out
like circus-riders. It seemed like a cruel mockery.

"Beg pardon," said she. "Maria, we'll go home now."

Maria was sitting near her mother, trying to force back the tears which
would find their way through her closed eyes.

"You poor dear girl," said Mother Hubbard, going up to her, and taking
her hand. "My auntie was so sorry to go off to-day, just when you were
coming! but she had to, for Uncle Augustus is sick. And it looks funny
to you--I mean to your mother--to see us dressed up this way; but auntie
said we might, just to keep us from being so lonesome. And Mrs. Brooks,
she wants you to call again the day after _the day after_ to-morrow. She
thinks she'll be home then."

"Yes'm," struck in my Lady Magnifico! "She thinks she'll come then with
Uncle 'Gustus. He isn't much sick. If he was going to die, we wouldn't
dress up so, certainly."

"No," replied Mrs. Brooks, smiling. "It's just as well; my Maria must
have patience; that's all."

"Patience!" thought Maria; "haven't I had it, and had it?--But I do
suppose God will attend to me when He thinks best. Is this what they
call waiting on the Lord?"

"When you come nex' time, I hope you'll bring that doggie," said Fly.

Then they went away, and the last thing Maria listened to was Fly's
melodious voice; and the last thing Fly looked at was Mrs. Brooks's nose
moving up and down.

CHAPTER IV.

GOING TO HOUSEKEEPING.

It was nearly noon before Mrs. Fixfax had made her room ready for
housekeeping. She turned up her bed into a press that stood beside the
wall, brought in a high chair, a small rocking chair, two ottomans, some
pictures and picture-books, and nearly all the curiosities she could
find in the house. A cunning little cooking-stove, highly polished, was
set against the chimney, and the drollest shovel and tongs seemed to be
making "dumb love" to each other across the fireplace, like a black
Punch and Judy. Then there was a pair of brazen-faced bellows, hanging,
nose downward, on a brass nail; a large table in one corner, with a
cake-board on it, and near it a cupboard made out of an old
clothes-press, with dishes in it, and flour, sugar, raisins, spices,
rolling-pin, "aerating egg-beater," yellow bowls, wooden spoons, and
everything that could be needed in cooking for a very large family.
There were five rugs spread on the carpet, and a large oilcloth under
the stove. Last, but not least, Mrs. Fixfax brought Mrs. Al