"Come on, then, I'm ready. Mother, is Edward going with us?"
"He's been gone with Ethel for an hour. He has a chance to sell a bushel, if he can pick them."
"I hope Matilda wont be there," said Sallie. "If she is, I sha'n't speak to her."
"I shall," added Hatty in a decided tone; "because, though I'm afraid she's done wrong, I don't think that would be the way to cure her, I think it would be best to let her see that we all love each other too well to allow a few hasty words to make us quarrel."
"I hate people who are always making a fuss."
Hatty laughed. "Matilda can't make a fuss with me," she said, showing all her white teeth.
"She tried to," answered Sallie. "She called you proud, and said you laughed to show your handsome teeth; but I wouldn't hear you talked against; and I told her so. After that she shut her mouth pretty quick."
"I'm afraid I do laugh too much," said Hatty, blushing crimson; "but I'm so happy, I can't help it. I hope I'm not proud, though I try to be thankful."
"You're the dearest girl in the world," exclaimed Sallie, putting her arms tightly around her friend's neck. "If it hadn't been for you, I should have had a quarrel with Cynthia; and mother would have worried awfully about it, for we're own cousins, you know."
"Well, dear Sallie, for my sake, forgive Matilda too. She was to blame for what she said; but we must pity her. I don't think Matilda is very happy."