"Oh no!" said Matilda. "I was not thinking of the sled; but you are very kind."
"I should like it," said the boy. "Yes, I am coming to the school; though I guess I've got an old fogy of a teacher. But the minister's a brick; isn't he?"
"He isn't much like me," said Matilda, laughing. "And the sort of bricks that I know, one is very much like another."
The boy laughed too, and asked if she didn't want to know his name? Matilda glanced again at the frank face and nice dress, and said yes.
"My name's Norton Laval. What's yours?"
"Matilda Englefield. I am going this way."
"Yes, you go that way and I go this way, but we shall see each other again. Good-bye."
So at the corner they parted; and Matilda went home, thinking that in this instance at least the welcoming of strangers had paid well. For this was a pleasant new acquaintance, she was sure. She mounted the stairs with happy feet to her room; and there found Maria in a flood of tears. Maria had stayed at home from Sunday-School to-day.
"What is the matter, Maria?" her little sister inquired. "How's mamma?"
"I don't know! Oh, nothing will ever be well again. O Tilly, what will become of us!"