"But I could do such a little thing, whether I loved you or not," said Mabel; "so I will take you for charity's sake, for I see, like the cat who was turned into a lady, and yet ran after mice—you cannot go without your accustomed food."
"I thought you said you liked society," said Lucy.
"And so I do—so let us walk on, for this green lane will lead us round to the rectory."
One of the rectory pets was an immense Newfoundland dog, who began to bark loudly as they approached the house.
"Oh!" said Lucy, with a half scream, "I cannot go on—I am sure he is untied—nasty thing."
"No, he never barks when he is loose—come on, dear, I am sure he will not hurt you."
Lucy clung to her arm in real or affected terror till they reached the house door.
Much to her disappointment, they found no one but Miss Ware at home, and she sat up during the visit, as silent, and apparently as timid, as a child, amusing herself by poking her parasol through the cage of the pet parrot, who appeared highly offended at her familiarity.
Mabel was a great favorite at the rectory, and Miss Ware, certain of finding her interested in her news, had many little things to tell her; she had had a letter from one old friend, and had worked a birth-day present for another, with many other little incidents to notice, which Lucy amused herself by silently turning into ridicule, though they were so kindly told that few would have found it difficult to enter into the little cares and joys which, after all, were never selfish.