was all about _charity_."

"Was it?" said Emma, with animation, "how strange that I should have
the same thoughts, without knowing anything about it! When you gave me
this milk I thought of that passage, and of the one about the cup of
cold water; and now, Mary, please to say why you took all this pains
for me. Was it just to be polite?"

"No," replied Mary, smiling; "I was afraid that you might think me
_im_-polite for offering you milk in a tin dipper, but I saw you
looking pale and tired, and thought that it might do you good."

"That was giving it to me in the name of a disciple," said Emma, in a
low voice, looking at the milk again, as though it was now hallowed and
blessed of God. "It is delicious," said she, taking the cup from her
lips, "and I feel better. I am not so weary; my head aches less, and my
_heart_ is refreshed."

"Then I have not lost my reward," said Mary. "But here come Fanny and
Alice. They are very entertaining, and the day will be less tedious if
you can manage to keep with them. Fanny is plain spoken, but people
call her a good-hearted girl; and Alice is so funny."

"If you please," replied Emma, "I had rather be with you. I am not
afraid of plain-spoken people, if they are kind. Dora is very careful
to tell me my faults, but then her manner is such that I can't help
feeling that it is because she loves me so well; so I am neither pained
nor vexed. I used to be very partial to _funny_ people; but I feel
serious now nearly all of the time. I can love Fanny and Alice; but,
Mary dear, I had rather be with you, if you please."