More than that, I will enjoy eating, and
neither George Ramsey nor Lily Merrill shall prevent it, neither they
nor my own self."

Maria sniffed the stew, and she compelled herself, by sheer force of
will, to find the combined odor of boiling meat and vegetables
inviting. She became hungry.

"That stew smells so good," she called out to her aunt, and her voice
rang with triumph.

"I guess it _is_ a good stew," her aunt called back in reply. "I've
had it on four hours, and I've made dumplings."

"Lovely!" cried Maria. She said to herself defiantly and proudly,
that there were little zests of life which she might have if she
could not have the greatest joys, and those little zests she would
not be cheated out of by any adverse fate. She said practically to
herself, that if she could not have love she could have a stew, and
it might be worse. She smiled to herself over her whimsical conceit,
and her face lost its bitter, strained look which it had worn all
day. She reflected that even if she could not marry George Ramsey,
and had turned the cold shoulder to him, he had been undeniably
fickle; that his fancy had been lightly turned aside by a pretty face
which was not accompanied by great mental power. She had felt a
contempt for George, and scorn for Lily, but now her face cleared,
and her attitude of mind. She had gained a petty triumph over
herself, and along with that came a clearer view of the situation.
When Aunt Maria called her to supper, she jumped up, and ran into the
dining-room, and seated herself at the table.

"I am as hungry as a bear," said she.

Aunt Maria behind her delicate china teacups gave a sniff of
satisfaction, and her set face softened. "Well, I'm glad you are,"
said she. "I guess the stew is good."

"Of course it is," said Maria. She lifted the cover of the dish and
began ladling out the stew with a small, thin, silver ladle which had
come to Aunt Maria along with the china from her mother. She passed a
plate over to her aunt, and filled her own, and began eating. "It is
delicious," said she. The stew really pleased her palate, and she had
the feeling of a conqueror who has gained one of the outposts in a
battle. Aunt Maria passed her a thin china cup filled with frothing
chocolate, and Maria praise that too. "Your chocolate is so much
nicer than our cook used to make," said she, and Aunt Maria beamed.

"I've got some lemon-cake, too," said she.

"I call this a supper fit for a queen,"