To Boxall Hill, accordingly, she went, and was received almost as a princess.  Mary had all her life been accustomed to women of rank, and had never habituated herself to feel much trepidation in the presence of titled grandees; but she had prepared herself to be more than ordinarily submissive to Lady Scatcherd.  Her hostess was a widow, was not a woman of high birth, was a woman of whom her uncle spoke well; and, for all these reasons, Mary was determined to respect her, and pay to her every consideration.  But when she settled down in the house she found it almost impossible to do so.  Lady Scatcherd treated her as a farmer’s wife might have treated a convalescent young lady who had been sent to her charge for a few weeks, in order that she might benefit by the country air.  Her ladyship could hardly bring herself to sit still and eat her dinner tranquilly in her guest’s presence.  And then nothing was good enough for Mary.  Lady Scatcherd besought her, almost with tears, to say what she liked best to eat and drink; and was in despair when Mary declared she didn’t care, that she liked anything, and that she was in nowise particular in such matters.

‘A roast fowl, Miss Thorne?’

‘Very nice, Lady Scatcherd.’

‘And bread sauce?’

’Bread sauce—­yes; oh, yes—­I like bread sauce,’—­and poor Mary tried hard to show a little interest.

’And just a few sausages.  We make them all in the house, Miss Thorne; we know what they are.  And mashed potatoes—­do you like them best mashed or baked?’

Mary finding herself obliged to vote, voted for mashed potatoes.

’Very well.  But, Miss Thorne, if you like boiled fowl better, with a little bit of ham, you know, I do hope you’ll say so.  And there’s lamb in the house, quite beautiful; now do’ee say something; do’ee, Miss Thorne.’

So invoked, Mary felt herself obliged to say something, and declared for the roast fowl and sausages; but she found it very difficult to pay much outward respect to a person who would pay so much outward respect to her.  A day or two after her arrival it was decided that she should ride about the place on a donkey; she was accustomed to riding, the doctor having generally taken care that one of his own horses should, when required, consent to carry a lady; but there was no steed at Boxall Hill that she could mount; and when Lady Scatcherd had offered to get a pony for her, she had willingly compromised matters by expressing the delight she would have in making a campaign on a donkey.  Upon this, Lady Scatcherd had herself set off in quest of the desired animal, much to Mary’s horror; and did not return till the necessary purchase had been effected.  Then she came back with the donkey close at her heels, almost holding its collar, and stood there at the hall-door till Mary came to approve.

‘I hope she’ll do.  I don’t think she’ll kick,’ said Lady Scatcherd, patting the head of her purchase quite triumphantly.