If Miss Martineau had a weakness, it was for really good tea and for
cream-cakes. She took off her gloves now, arranged her bonnet-strings,
put back her veil, and prepared to enjoy herself. Instead of talking
common-place condolences, she chatted on little matters of local
interest with the sisters. Jasmine took care to supply Miss Martineau
with plenty of cream-cakes--Primrose saw that her cup was well
replenished. Miss Martineau was poor and very saving, and it occurred
to her, as she partook of the Mainwaring's nice tea, that she might do
without much supper by-and-by. This reflection put her into an
excellent humor.

When the tea was over Primrose led her to a comfortable seat by the
window.

"My dear," she said, "it is well that I should sit just here, within
full view of the street?--your window is, well, a little too like
seeing company, my loves, and if my bonnet is seen by passers-by
you'll have everybody calling directly."

"Oh, we mean to see everybody now," said Jasmine "we--we--we think it
best, don't we, Primrose?"

"Yes," said Primrose, in her gentle tones. "It does not make us think
less of dear mamma to see people--and--and--we have decided to go on
much as usual now."

"You might have admitted me before, dears," replied Miss Martineau--"I
felt so intensely for you--I could never get you out of my head. I was
a good deal hurt by your refusing to admit me, my dear girls, for in