"I think it is time. You haven't been here for weeks, and months, for aught I know."
"Because I wrote you why, Maria. There was sickness at Briery Bank, and Norton and I were at the parsonage ever so long. I couldn't come to see you then."
"What have you got in that basket? your dinner?"
"O no; something that I wanted to shew to you. I wanted to bring you something, Maria; and I did not know what you would like; and I thought about it and thought about it all yesterday, and I didn't know. I wanted to bring you something pretty; but I remembered when I was here before you said you wanted gloves and handkerchiefs so much; and so, I thought it was better to bring you those."
While Matilda was making this speech, she was slowly taking out of her basket and unfolding her various bundles; she had half a hope, and no more now, that Maria would be pleased. Maria snatched the bundles, examined the handkerchiefs and counted them; then compared the gloves with her hand and laid them over it. Finally she put both gloves and handkerchiefs on the bed beside her, and went on sewing. She had not said one word about them.
"Are they right, Maria?" said her little sister. "They are the right number, I know; do you like the colours I have chosen?"
"They are well enough," Maria answered.
"Green and chocolate, I thought you liked," Matilda went on; "and the dark brown I liked. So I chose those. Do you like the handkerchiefs, Maria?"
"I want them badly enough," said Maria. "Did you get them at Cope's?"
"Yes, and I thought they were very nice. Are they?"