Mary was most attracted by the mother and Dickon.
When Martha told stories of what "mother" said or did they always sounded comfortable.
"If I had a raven or a fox cub I could play with it," said Mary.

"But I have nothing." Martha looked perplexed.
"Can tha' knit ?" she asked.
"No," answered Mary.
"Can tha' sew ?" "No." "Can tha' read ?" "Yes." "Then why doesn't tha, read somethin', or learn a bit o' spellin'?
Tha'st old enough to be learnin' thy book a good bit now." "I haven't any books," said Mary.

"Those I had were left in India." "That's a pity," said Martha.

"If Mrs.Medlock'd let thee go into th' library, there's thousands o' books there." Mary did not ask where the library was, because she was suddenly inspired by a new idea.

She made up her mind to go and find it herself.