"Look, mamma," she exclaimed, "there is Mrs. Dodson and Lucy; they are
just going out, and Lucy has on a new hat."
"Well, my dear," returned her mother quietly, "it is not unusual for
people to get new bonnets at this season."
Emily felt a little abashed at this reply, but could not refrain from
casting furtive glances across the way. The afternoon was fine, and the
street filled with well-dressed people. The little girl watched the
passers-by, holding her needle listlessly in her fingers, and presently
cried out,
"Did you see that lady, mamma? How oddly she was dressed."
"No," answered Mrs. Manvers, "I am attending to my work now, but I hope
soon to join the promenaders myself."
Emily stole a glance at her mother to see whether her countenance
implied reproof, but Mrs. Manvers's eyes were fixed upon her work and
the little girl again endeavored to fix her attention upon her sewing.
At length Mrs. Manvers rose and put aside her work-basket. "I am going
to dress, Emily," she said.
"Very well, mother, I will be ready in a minute," replied her daughter,
and she followed her mother up stairs.
Emily tossed over her bureau in vain to find a clean pair of pantalets,
and then she remembered of having taken several pairs down stairs to
mend. She ran hastily down and selected the best pair. Some of the
button-holes were torn out, but she could not wait to mend them now, so
hastily pinning on the pantalets, she dressed and joined her mother.
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