covers back, picked up her clothes so quickly she didn't even stop to
see if she had both stockings, and ran into her grandmother's room.
"I'm _not_ going to cry, so there!" she said to herself hastily.

"Well, good morning," said Grandmother cheerfully. "That's nice to
dress in here! I was just wishing I had company."

"Does rain make you feel like you wanted somebody right close?" asked
Mary Jane.

"Every time," agreed Grandmother. "And sometimes, when your
grandfather's working out in the barn, and Bob's out there with him,
and I'm all alone in the house, I just wish and wish I had a little
girl about your size here to talk to. I'm so glad you're come, Mary
Jane, you're such good company!"

And immediately, would you believe it? Mary Jane forgot all about
being homesick and maybe going to cry, and began wondering what she
could do for her grandmother!

"What are we going to do to-day, Grandmother?" she asked as they went
down the stairs together.

"Let me see," said Grandmother thoughtfully, looking at the little
girl. "First, of course, we'll get breakfast--wouldn't you like fresh
corn bread and maple syrup?" Mary Jane nodded happily, for she liked
Grandmother's corn bread. "Then we'll do the dishes and make the
beds--but that won't take long with you helping me. Then we'll peel
the potatoes and start the meat cooking for dinner. Then we'll--by the
way, Mary Jane," she asked suddenly, "what have you in those two