Lizzie Upton’s half-smothered laugh was more provoking to Ella, than Sally’s insinuation of her want of brains, but she soon recovered her equanimity, for Mr. Lincoln’s carriage at that moment drove up.  Henry sprang nimbly out, kissing his hand to Ella, who blushed, and then turning to Rose, began wishing she, too, was old enough to go to Mount Holyoke.

“I guess you’d pass about as good an examination now, as some who are going,” returned Rose, glancing contemptuously towards Mary, to whom Jenny was eagerly talking.

This directed Henry’s attention that way, and simultaneously his own and Mary’s eyes met.  With a peculiar expression of countenance, he stepped towards her, saying “Good morning, school ma’am.  For what part are you bound with all this baggage?” pointing to a huge chest with a feather bed tied over it, the whole the property of a daughter of Erin, who stood near, carefully guarding her treasure.

Had he addressed Mary civilly, she would have replied with her usual politeness, but as it was, she made no reply and he turned to walk away.  All this time Tasso lay under the table, winking and blinking at his old enemy, with an expression in his eyes, which Henry would hardly have relished, could he have seen him.

“Hark!  Isn’t that the cars?” said Jenny, as a low, heavy growl fell on her ear; but she soon ascertained what it was, for as Henry was leaving the room, he kicked aside the blue umbrella, which Sal had brought with her for fear of a shower, and which was lying upon the floor.

In an instant, Tasso’s growl changed to a bark, and bristling with anger, he rushed towards Henry, but was stopped by Sal just in time to prevent his doing any mischief.  With a muttered oath, which included the “old woman” as well as her dog, the young man was turning away, when Jenny said, “Shame on you, to swear before ladies!”

After assuring himself by a look that Ella and the city girls were all standing upon the platform, Henry replied with a sneer, “I don’t see any ladies in the room.”

Instantly Sal, now more furious than the dog, clutched her long, bony fingers around his arm, saying, “Take back that insult, sir, or Tasso shall tear you in pieces!  What am I, if I am not a lady?”

Henry felt sure that Sal meant what she said, and with an air of assumed deference, he replied as he backed himself out of his uncomfortable quarters, “I beg your pardon Mrs. Furbush, I forgot that you were present.”

The whistle of the cars was now heard, and in a moment the locomotive stood puffing before the depot.  From one of the open windows a fair young face looked out, and a voice which thrilled Mary’s every nerve, it seemed so familiar, called out, “Oh, Rosa, Jenny, all of you, I’m so glad you are here; I was afraid there would be some mistake, and I’d have to go alone.”

“Isn’t your father with you?” asked Henry, bowing so low, that he almost pitched headlong from the platform.