For two years past, Mabel had worked in the Fiskdale factory a portion of the time, going to school the remainder of the year.

She was fitting herself for a teacher, and as the school in our district was small, the trustees had this summer kindly offered it to her.

This arrangement delighted me; for, next to Nellie Gilbert, I loved Mabel Hudson best of anybody; and I fancied, too, that they looked alike, but of course it was all fancy.
Mrs.Hudson was a tailoress, and the day following my visit to Mr.
Gilbert's I was sent by mother to take her some work.

I found her in the little porch, her white cap-border falling over her placid face, and her wide checked apron coming nearly to the bottom of her dress.
Mabel was there, too, and as she arose to receive me something about her reminded me of Adaline Gilbert.

I could not tell what it was, for Mabel was very beautiful, and beside her Adaline would be plain; still there was a resemblance, either in voice or manner, and this it was, perhaps, which made me so soon mention the Gilberts and my visit to them the day previous.
Instantly Mrs.Hudson and Mabel exchanged glances, and I thought the face of the former grew a shade paler; still I may have been mistaken, for in her usual tone of voice she began to ask me numberless questions concerning the family, which seemed singular, as she was not remarkable for curiosity.