“Go into the library, my dear,” she said, “and bring me a small package which you will find on the table.”
Carrie ran off, and soon returned with the parcel. Mrs. Stanley opened it and displayed two beautiful little Bibles. The girls were loud in their admiration of the elegant crimson morocco bindings, fine type and heavy gilding; but the clasps—of real silver, and on which their names were engraved—were pronounced “perfect.”
Both declared that they had never seen such beautiful Bibles before; and they kissed and thanked the dear giver repeatedly.
“Put them in your baskets now,” said Mrs. Stanley. “I see Hannah coming with our lunch. I told her we would have it here to-day.”
Hannah entered, bringing a basket, which contained a table-cloth, napkins, dishes and all that was necessary to spread the table. The girls showed her their presents; and, after she had admired them sufficiently, they proceeded to set the table, while she went back to the house and soon returned with the eatables.
“Just the very things I love best,” said Carrie,—“even coffee for your especial benefit, Susie. They begin to treat us as if we were of some consequence, now that we are going away: don’t they? Here’s that quince marmalade that I teased for in vain the other night at supper, and the almond sponge-cake you like so well. I don’t know whether to take it as a compliment or not, Sue. It seems a little like a feast of rejoicing at getting rid of us.”
So Carrie rattled on, till a servant announced that the carriage was in readiness to take them to the depôt, where Mrs. Stanley accompanied them and left them in charge of the gentleman who was to go with them to Manchester.
CHAPTER II.
GETTING SETTLED.
Caroline Stanley and Susan Cameron were cousins, and very nearly of the same age; but neither from their looks nor from their characters would one have supposed that there was any tie of relationship between them.