she was roused by somebody standing before her. It was Mrs. Rickham, who came to ask something about clean sheets for the best bed.
“Clean sheets!” exclaimed Mary. “Oh, ask Anna to give Susan the keys, and then you can find what you want.”
“Very well, Miss. But there wants a new ewer and basin for the room the young ladies are to have; and I doubt if there are towels enough.”
“We will see about that to-morrow, nurse. I must make this room complete now I am about it.”
“Perhaps that will do as well to-morrow, Miss Mary, if indeed it wants any thing more; but the first thing to be done is to make the sleeping-rooms comfortable, and to see what condition your frocks are in, Miss.”
This was too true to be denied; so Mary left her book in the balcony till her provision for the comforts of her guests should leave her at leisure to plan luxuries for them.
There was time, however, for all; and the manifold luxuries of an excursion in search of the picturesque were duly cared for. The fowls, the cakes, the wine, the sketch-books, the telescope, were appointed and hunted up; and Anna put on her habit and went to the farm, to try the grey pony which the farmer was to lend her. The pony carried her round the twelve-acre field, and up the green lane, and down the mill-lane, with the utmost propriety, and promised to be a great ornament to the cavalcade.
On Tuesday night the girls sat up for their father till the last coach had passed through the town at eleven o’clock. They were a little disappointed at not seeing him, but had no doubt of his arrival before noon the next day.
CHAPTER III.
Arrivals.
“Here comes papa!” cried Anna, as she rose from the breakfast-table, “and a gentleman with him! Can it be Mr. Fletcher already?”