The new house was not in the least like the old one. Susy was always bewailing the contrast. She did not like the wallpaper; the carpets were homely; the rooms were, some of them, too large, and the door-yard, certainly, too small. "But it's better than nothing," said Prudy, who, for one, was heartily tired of visiting. "I think," said Mrs. Parlin, smiling, "this is a very good opportunity for my little daughters to learn to make the best of everything. We cannot have the old house, so we will try not to long for it. We never wish for the moon, you know." "Katie does," laughed Susy. "We cannot have the old home again, so we will make the new one as happy as we can. Isn't that the best way?" "Of course it is, mamma," replied all the children. "'Course, indeed, it is!" said Katie, trying to pull up the carpet in her search for a lost three-cent piece. "I'm glad father's dressing-gown and slippers didn't get scorched," said Prudy; "and the piano sounds as sweetly as ever it did. It sounds to me just as if there was a family in there, living inside." "Like what?" "O, you know there are four parts playing at once, and it seems as if it was a man and his wife, and two children, all singing together!" "I'm glad we brought so many flowers from aunt Eastman's," said Susy, brightening; "now we'll trim all the rooms." "That is right," said Mrs. Parlin. "This is the first night in the new house: let us make it as cheerful as we can for dear papa. Susy, you may as well practise that new tune he likes so well." "O, mamma," said Prudy, "I'll tell you what I'll do! I'll make some vinegar candy!--if you'll boil it, you know, and pull it." "A very brilliant idea, my daughter. Your part will be the looking on, I suppose." "And what'll _I_ do?" queried Dotty, twisting the inevitable lock of front hair; "if papa would only give me some money, I'd go and buy him a present." "The wisest thing you can do just now, dear, is to wash that berry-stain off your lips; then you may bring me a fresh ruffle to baste in the neck of this dress." Dotty obeyed at once. She was always glad to wear that white delaine with the scarlet spots. The whole family were so very busy during the afternoon, that they forgot to feel any regrets for the old home. The furniture had been brought and arranged some time before, and the most Mrs. Parlin expected to do to-day was to make the house as pleasant as possible. Susy was allowed to attend to the flowers; the three others looked on, and watched Mrs. Parlin, while she made vinegar candy, filled some tarts with jelly, and helped Norah set the supper-table. "How nice!" said Prudy, rubbing her hands. "Sometimes I don't much care if our house was burnt up." "Nor I either," said Dotty. "This house has got a good deal the best places to hide in."