t put a little comfort inside that cupboard?"

"Of what sort?" said David smiling.

"It's bare," said Matilda.

"Of everything."

"Yes. Well, of course it wouldn't do to put any eatable things here,
till just the day they are coming. David!--a thought has just struck
me."

"Go on," said David, smiling again. "The thoughts that strike you are
generally very good thoughts."

"Perhaps you will laugh at me. But I will tell you what I was thinking.
Mr. Wharncliffe says we must not do too much at once; but I _should_
like, David, to have a nice little supper ready for them the day they
move in. I don't suppose they have had one nice supper this winter."

"Broiled oysters and salad?" said David.

"No indeed; you know what sort of a supper I mean."

"What would you get? for instance?"

"Let me see," said Matilda, speaking slowly and considering the matter
intently. "Some tea there should be, of course; and sugar. And milk.
Then, some bread and butter--and herring--and perhaps, a loaf of
gingerbread."

"What made you think of herring?" said David, looking very much amused
and curious.

"O, I know such people like them very much, and they cost almost
nothing."

"If we are giving them a supper, I should say, give them something that
costs a little more--something they could not get for themselves."

"O these people don't get even herring, David."

"What do you suppose they live upon?"

"Bread,--and--I really don't know, David! In the country, they would
have cheese, and sometimes fish, I suppose; but these people are too
poor even for that."

"That's being poorer than anybody ought to be," said David. "I go in
for the supper. It's fun. I tell you what, Tilly,--I'll stand a
beefsteak."

"O thank you, David! But--there are so many more that want it," said
Matilda, looking sober and prudent in odd contrast with her years.

"We can't help them too," said David.

"Better keep the beefsteak, I guess," said Matilda. "O David, I know!
Potatoes!"

"What of potatoes?"

"Just what they want. _Sure_ to want them, you know; and exactly the
thing. Let us have a good sack of potatoes."

David seemed to be so much amused that he could hardly keep to the
practical soberness of the thing. However he agreed to the potatoes.
And he and Matilda, moved by one impulse, set off for a hardware store
down in one of the avenues, not far to seek; and there spent a most
delicious half hour. They chose some common cups and sauce