"Mrs. Francis, would it not be well for Pearl to have a lunch before she starts for her walk into the country; the air is so exhilarating, you know."
"How thoughtful you are, Camilla!" Mrs. Francis exclaimed with honest admiration.
Thus it happened that Pearlie Watson, aged twelve, began her journey into the big unknown world, fully satisfied in body and soul, and with a great love for all the world.
At the corner of the street stood Mrs. McGuire, and at sight of her Pearl's heart stopped beating.
"It's bad luck," she said. "I'd as lief have a rabbit cross me path as her."
But she walked bravely forward with no outward sign of her inward trembling.
"Goin' to Sam Motherwell's, are ye?" the old lady asked shrilly.
"Yes'm," Pearl said, trembling.
"She's a tarter; she's a skinner; she's a damner; that's what she is. She's my own first cousin and I know HER. Sass her; that's the only way to get along with her. Tell her I said so. Here, child, rub yer j'ints with this when ye git stiff." She handed Pearl a black bottle of home-made liniment.
Pearl thanked her and hurried on, but at the next turn of the street she met Danny.