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 all respects I would have wished to be a mother to you." "Please, don't," said Jasmine.
"We _couldn't_ have another mother," said little Daisy, clinging close to Primrose, and looking up into her sister's sweet face.
Primrose stooped and kissed her.
"You may run into the garden, darling, and take the Pink," she said.
Miss Martineau had no intention of leaving the Mainwarings without speaking out her mind.