'I thought Sarah Webbe was to help,' said Helen.

'She is doing the carpet,' said Elizabeth. 'Oh! if you look so
lamentable about it, Helen, we do not want your help. Dora will sew
the seams very nicely, and enjoy the work too. I thought you might
be glad to turn your handiwork to some account.'

'Really, Lizzie,' said Helen, 'I shall be very glad to be useful, if
you want me. What shall I do?'

This was said in no gracious tone, and Elizabeth would not accept
such an offer of assistance. 'No, no; never mind,' said she, putting
a skein of crimson sewing-silk over Katherine's outstretched hands,
and standing with her back to Helen, who took up her pencil again in
silence, and made her black shadows much darker.

Elizabeth, who had not been of the walking party, and had thus heard
of all the arrangements which had been made that afternoon, went on
talking to Katherine. 'As soon as Church is over, the Bishop is
coming to luncheon here, and then to settle some business with Papa;
then is to be the school-children's feast--in the quadrangle, of
course. Oh, how delightful that will be! And Mamma and I have been
settling that we will have a little table for the smallest creatures,
because the elder sisters get no time to eat if they are attending to
them, and if the little ones are all together, everyone will come and
help them.'

'The old women in the Alms-houses will,' said Katherine.