"You're all right, Mrs. Burrell," Pearl said soothingly. "You've keen kind to me, and I like you just fine."
Mrs. Burrell looked at her gratefully.
"I believe you do, you blessed child; you see the good in everybody."
When Pearl went home that day she announced to her family that she was happy in four places. "I'm happy because we're goin' to have church now, that's one; and I'm happy because Mrs. Burrell gave me all those pansy plants, that's two; and I'm happy because Camilla is goin' to be married, and she has made me the loveliest white silk dress you ever saw, just the spittin' image of her own, because I'm to be her bridesmaid, that's three; and I'm happy because"—she hesitated, as a sudden shyness seized her—"oh, well, I'm just happy."
CHAPTER XIV
"IN CASE——"
Ah! well for us all some deep hope lies
Deeply buried from mortal eyes.
——Whittier.
PEARL went around the settlement the next week, to tell the people that there would be church in the schoolhouse the next Sunday afternoon.
On Monday evening, coming home from school, she went into the Perkins home. She had not seen Martha since she had lived at the Motherwells' the year before. It was a large frame house, with a well-kept garden in front and a hedge of purple and white lilacs in full bloom. Pearl was standing looking at the hedge in mute enjoyment, when Martha came out to get green onions and lettuce for tea.