Mildred Keith - Complete 7 Book Collection. Finley Martha

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      Chapter Thirteenth.

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      "'Tis with our judgments as our watches, none

       Go just alike, yet each believes his own."

       —Pope.

      "You hain't returned more'n our fust call; and then you didn't stay but ten minutes," Rhoda Jane said in a half-offended tone, to Mildred, "And we're such near neighbors too; we'd ought to be real sociable."

      Mildred apologized by stating the fact that her time was very fully occupied.

      "Well you and Claudina Chetwood seems to be pretty thick. But the Chetwoods is richer'n we are, an' I s'pose that makes it easier to find time to visit with 'em."

      "The riches don't make any difference," said Mildred, flushing; "and I've heard that the Chetwoods are not very rich."

      "Well, they hold their heads high anyway.

      "I'm agoin' to have a rag carpet party pretty soon, and give you an invite, and if you don't come I'll be so mad I won't never come near you again."

      "Perhaps I may be sick," sighed Mildred, half hoping in her secret heart that so it might fall out.

      "Oh, then of course I couldn't be mad; but I'll try to fix it when you're well."

      "When is it to be? and what is it like?"

      "Soon's mother and me gits the rags all cut; 'bout a week from now, I reckon. Why a passel o' girls gits together and sews the rags and winds 'em up into balls, and after awhile the boys come in and then we have lots o' fun and good things to eat. Now I must run home. Good-bye, mind you're to be sure to come."

      This was Friday. On the ensuing Monday morning little Ada set out sorrowfully for Miss Drybread's school, in company with Emmaretta and Minerva Lightcap.

      Mildred was alone in the parlor when the child came back at noon.

      "Well, pussy, how did you like it?" she asked with a sympathetic smile.

      "Not at all. O Mildred, she isn't a lady or a Christian; for she deceives; she acts lies; she made a naughty girl believe she was going to roast her to death. There's a stove and a big oven in it; and she said she was going to put her in there and build up a hot fire and cook her."

      "Did the girl believe it?"

      "Yes; she was dreadfully frightened; she screamed like everything and promised that indeed, and indeed she'd be good; and Miss Drybread let her go to her seat."

      "That was acting a lie and telling one too; and anybody who would do so, is unfit to have the care of children," said Mildred. "I shall tell father and mother about it, and I'm very sure they won't send you any longer than this one quarter anyhow."

      "Mildred, she doesn't look like a lady either; she doesn't wear anything white round her neck; just a pink calico cape and an apron of the same, and another kind of calico dress."

      "No matter about that if she only acted and talked right. She's neat and clean, I suppose?"

      "Yes; I didn't see any soil on her clothes."

      "Well, learn your lessons well and behave nicely, so that she can't find any excuse for ill treating you."

      Mildred looked upon the expected carpet rag party with nearly as great aversion as Ada felt for her new school, but was a good deal relieved on learning from Claudina Chetwood that she, too, had been notified of its approach and expected to attend.

      "I didn't know that you visited the Lightcaps," said Mildred.

      "Oh, yes; they are not cultivated people, or very refined; but they're clever folks and kind neighbors; especially in times of sickness; and would feel dreadfully hurt if one should decline their invitations. They're not the sort of people we exchange formal calls with; indeed they never make them; but, as mother says, while society here is in the crude state it is now, it will not do to insist upon making associates of those only who are congenial."

      "Or quite belong to our station in life?"

      "Yes; we can not divide up into many circles, and must be willing to mix to some extent, with all who can lay claim to respectability and moral worth."

      "I'm afraid I'm very proud," said Mildred laughing and blushing. "I've never been used to associating with any one so rough and uncouth, and it goes a good deal against the grain."

      "Perhaps it isn't exactly pride," suggested Claudina; "they offend your taste; they do mine, I know; but surely we can bear that rather than give them the pain of thinking that we despise them."

      "Yes, indeed," assented Mildred heartily; and from that moment ceased to allow herself to hope that something would occur to give her a plausible excuse for staying away from Rhoda Jane's merry-making.

      She repeated Claudina's remarks to her mother and aunt and found that they fully approved of the sentiments she had expressed.

      "Time was when I should have been very unwilling to see you consort with that class on terms of equality," said Mrs. Keith, "but circumstances alter cases."

      The invitation came for Friday afternoon and evening; Rhoda Jane hailing Rupert as he passed and sending it through him.

      Mildred was nearly in her usual health and accepted without a demur; but puzzled to know what to wear, and at what hour to go, went to Claudina for instruction on these important points.

      "We are invited to work, you know," said Miss Chetwood, laughing, "so will be expected early; we should not be later than one o'clock, I think, and as it is not very nice work—carpet rags being apt to be dusty—we should not wear anything that will not wash. I shall put on a calico dress and carry a big work apron with me."

      "Then I shall do the same."

      "I wish you would; for there will be some girls there who haven't the means to dress and would feel badly if you or I outshone them very much."

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