the winter, no society nor any thing."

Here Mrs. Mason ventured to ask if there were not some very pleasant
and intelligent ladies in the village.

"Oh, ye-es," said Mrs. Lincoln, with a peculiar twist to her mouth,
which Jenny said she always used when she was "putting on." "They are
well enough, but they are not the kind of folks we would recognize at
home. At least they don't belong to 'our set,'" speaking to Mrs.
Campbell who replied, "Oh, certainly not." It was plain even to a
casual observer that Mrs. Lincoln's was the ruling spirit to which
Mrs. Campbell readily yielded, thinking that so perfect a model of
gentility could not err. Mr. Knight possibly might have enlightened
her a little with regard to her friend's pedigree, but he was not
present, and for half an hour more the two ladies talked together of
their city acquaintances, without once seeming to remember that Mrs.
Mason, too, had formerly known them all intimately. At last Mrs.
Lincoln arose, saying she must go, as she had already stopped much
longer than she intended, "but when I get with you," said she, turning
to Mrs. Campbell, "I never know when to leave."

Mrs. Mason invited her to remain to tea, saying it was nearly ready.
Mrs. Campbell, who had also arisen, waited for Mrs. Lincoln to decide,
which she soon did by reseating herself and saying, laughingly, "I
don't know but I'll stay for a taste of those delicious looking
strawberries I saw your servant carry past the window."

Erelong the little tea-bell rang, and Mrs. Lincoln, who had not before
spoken to Mary, now turned haughtily towards her, requesting her to
watch while they were at supper and see if the coachman did not drive