"And I am sure yours is beautiful," exclaimed Emily. "I wouldn't have believed any one could make such a pretty picture of a tannery."
"I thought it would please Asahel," said Marion. "Do you mind waiting while I touch these leaves again? No; on the whole I won't. Come, Emily; let's pack up the traps and go home."
[CHAPTER XXI.]
WORK AT ROCK BOTTOM.
MARION stayed at the parsonage to tea, and had a very nice visit.
When she got home, she found two or three letters waiting for her from Hemlock Valley, and one from Lizzy Gates at Holford. The first tones of Gerty's voice told her what she was to expect.
"You are highly favoured in the line of letters, certainly," said Gerty. "What do they find to waste so much time and paper upon?"
"Oh, there is a great deal both of time and paper at Hemlock Valley," said Marion, gayly; "and I like to hear all the news."
"What news is there to tell?"
"Well, the tabby-cat has presented her owner with two tortoise-shell kittens, and Emma's doll Eugenia Stanley has met her death by being eaten up by Meg's puppy, and Mrs. Chris Hollenbeck has a baby girl. I believe those are the most important items of information, only father and Bram are coming over some time next week. And Lizzy Gates tells me all the Holford news about the girls. Oh, there is plenty to tell. See here, Asahel: come and look at my sketch and see if you know what it is meant for."