"Welcome, my dear," she said, advancing and kissing her; "I'm glad as my Jem is made happy at last."
"We waited for you, mother," said Jem, when he had placed her in the arm-chair, "because Meg thought as you'd like to see the things unpacked; they was put in by Mrs. MacDonald's own hands."
"That I should," answered Mrs. Seymour heartily, drawing nearer to the table; "what is it?"
"I don't know," answered Meg; "she called me in this morning and she said, 'Archer,'—you know it was only mother called me Meg at home; at mistress's I was always called Archer, so she said, 'Archer, I've put you in a few things to begin on, and so that you will not have to begin cooking at once. Remember, however, that a workman's wages will not buy these sort of things. It is only as a little wedding treat.'"
"That's very true," said Mrs. Seymour, referring to the wages.
"Ah, we know that," answered Meg cheerfully, with a bright glance at Jem; "but it's very kind of her all the same."
By this time Jem had undone the strings, and the hamper lay open before them. First there were a couple of fine chickens all ready cooked, done up in a clean cloth; then there were some sausages; after that a blancmange in a basin; then a bottle of cream; and lastly, some fresh butter and a box of new-laid eggs.
Underneath everything else was a flat parcel tied up in pieces of thin board.
"A wedding present to Margaret Archer, as a mark of Mrs. MacDonald's esteem, wishing her and her husband every happiness."
"Oh!" exclaimed Meg; "she said I should find her present at home! Jem, whatever can it be?"