So they parted. Mousey pursued her homeward road with a very sober face, thinking how much she would miss her kind little friend, and wishing that it was the end instead of the commencement of the holidays.
However, the time did not hang so heavily on her hands as she had anticipated, for the morning following the one on which Mrs. Downing's school had broken up, Mr. Harding informed Mousey he wished her to go out every day, and suggested that she might go to the park, where she would be perfectly safe. In the park she found Miss Longley with the twins, and spent a very happy hour in playing with the children. The next day Mrs. Downing was there in place of her sister, and seemed very pleased with Mousey's company. She encouraged the little girl to talk to her whilst the twins amused themselves. The two, thus drawn together, found they had much in common; and, though Mousey liked Miss Longley too, there was little doubt but that the elder sister held the first place in her heart, perhaps on account of a look which often crossed Mrs. Downing's face which reminded the child of her dead mother.
One afternoon when Mousey was in the kitchen with Maria she heard Mr. Harding call to her, and running into the parlour, found Mrs. Downing there. Mr. Harding was rubbing his hands, and was evidently in his most amiable frame of mind.
"Mrs. Downing has been giving me a first-rate report of your progress at school, my dear," he said. "I am pleased and gratified to hear you have been a good girl, and have done your best."
Not only had Mrs. Downing given Mr. Harding an excellent report of his little cousin, but she had paid him several pounds on account of her husband's debt, thus reducing it more than the old man had expected, and strengthening the favourable opinion he had formed of her; and as nothing pleased him better than to receive money, he was accordingly in high good humour.
"Mrs. Downing is so kind as to wish to take you back to her house to tea," he continued; "I need scarcely ask if you would like to go!"
Mousey's glowing face answered for her; and when Mr. Harding told her to run away and fetch her hat, she obeyed him with alacrity. Before going upstairs, however, she returned to the kitchen, and informed Maria that she had been invited out to tea. Maria good-naturedly followed her to her bedroom, brushed her hair, and assisted her with her hasty toilette.
Mrs. Downing and Mr. Harding seemed to be getting on capitally together, for when Mousey returned to the parlour she heard her cousin saying—
"I am sure you will make your school pay. I consider you have done wonders already. There was a crying need for a middle-class school such as you have started in Haughton."
"I am glad to hear you think so," Mrs. Downing answered. "I shall do my best, and I hope my efforts may be crowned with success."