"The Dows'!" said Maria. "Yes, I know the Dows' house; but who's there? Nothing but old folks."
"Yes, there are two children; I have seen them; two or three; but they don't come to school."
"Then I don't believe they want to," said Maria; "they could come if they wanted to, I am sure."
"Don't you think we might go and ask them? Perhaps they would come if anybody asked them."
"Yes, we might," said Maria; "but you see, Tilly, I haven't any time. It'll take me every bit of time I can get between now and Sunday to finish putting the braid on that frock; you have no idea how much time it takes. It curls round this way, and then twists over that way, and then gives two curls, so and so; and it takes a great while to do it. I almost wish I had chosen an easier pattern; only this is so pretty."
"But you promised, Maria."
"I didn't promise to go and look up people, child. I only promised to do what I could. Besides, what have you got to do with it? You did not promise at all."
"I will go with you, if you will go up to the Dows'," said Matilda.
"Oh, well!—don't worry, and I'll see about it."
"But will you go? Come, Maria, let us go."