She left the rest of the linen in the basket and sought her mother in the house.

"Mother!" she called out, in a cautious voice, as soon as she entered the kitchen.

Mrs.Berry's face looked inquiringly out of the pantry, and Rose motioned her back, went in herself, and shut the door.
"What be you a-shuttin' the door for ?" asked her mother, wonderingly.
"I don't know what has come over father." "What do you mean, Rose Berry?
He 'ain't had another shock ?" "I'm dreadful afraid he's going to! I'm dreadful afraid something's going to happen to him!" "I'd like to know what you mean ?" Mrs.Berry was quite pale.
"Father says I can have a cherry party, and they needn't pay anything." Her mother stared at her.

"He didn't!" "Yes, he did." They looked in each other's eyes, with silent renewals of doubt and affirmation.

Finally Mrs.Berry laughed.