and at last Lydia said, "I don't care, but I guess Miss Howard will be
ashamed, for 'twas Suke Bradley's turn to sweep the school-house this
noon-time, and she wouldn't do it, 'cause Tim got licked."

"Never mind the school-house," returned the stranger, "but introduce
me as Mr. Stuart."

Lydia had never introduced any body in her life, and following her
companions to her seat, she left Mr. Stuart standing in the doorway.
With her usual politeness, Mary came forward and received the
stranger, who gave his name as Mr. Stuart, saying, "he felt much
interested in common schools, and therefore had ventured to call."

Offering the seat of honor, viz., the splint-bottomed chair, Mary
resumed her usual duties, occasionally casting a look of curiosity at
the stranger, whose eyes seemed constantly upon her. It was rather
warm that day, and when Mary returned from her dinner, Widow Perkins
was greatly shocked at seeing her attired in a light pink muslin
dress, the short sleeves of which showed to good advantage her round
white arms. A narrow velvet ribbon confined by a small brooch, and a
black silk apron, completed her toilet, with the exception of a tiny
locket, which was suspended from her neck by a slender gold chain.
This last ornament, immediately riveted Mr. Stuart's attention, and
from some strange cause sent the color quickly to his face. After a
time, as if to ascertain whether it were really a locket, or a watch,
he asked "if Miss Howard could tell him the hour."

"Certainly sir," said she, and stepping to the desk and consulting a
silver time-piece about the size of a dining plate, she told him that
it was half-past three.