Upon the floor was the only
carpet Sara owned--old-fashioned, and perhaps too bright for artistic
tastes, but looking warm and comfortable that chilly spring evening.
Then there was a table, also draped, while the collection of minerals
was conspicuous upon a set of shelves in one corner; and about the fire
were a few home-cushioned chairs. Plain, to homeliness, as it was, yet
the effect was so entirely one of brightness and comfort that Morton
broke out with,--
"Well, Sara, this is pretty nice! Rather better than Uncle Jabez's old
cabin on the Mary Jane, isn't it?"
"I'm so glad you think so, Morton! And I'm sure you will like school
here. Mrs. Hoffstott has taken such a fancy to baby that she will take
care of him for me until I can find some one else; so tomorrow we begin
our education,--you and Molly and I."
"You, Sara? How funny! Why, you are through with yours, aren't you?"
"No, Molly, I sometimes think I am just beginning; and if you dread the
starting in to-morrow, so do I! Bring the Bible, Morton, and let's read
a chapter, to give us courage for the ordeal."
It was indeed an ordeal! After starting off the children, with the
little Hoffstotts to pilot them, and seeing baby happy with some toys
in their mother's trim kitchen, Sara put on her modest wraps, and walked
briskly, not giving her courage time to weaken, from the little court
toward College Avenue.
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