Mary was silent; she wished to ask several questions, but that _eldest daughter_--somehow the words struck a chill to her heart; she was all at once very thoughtful. 'Your brother and I are anxious to have things arranged before they get here, and Sam particularly wishes that his father and all of you should be there when they arrive, and I think,' said James, 'as you are to be such near neighbors, it would be well to show them all kindness.' 'Oh, by all means; certainly, we will do every thing we can to welcome them, as they are friends of yours; but--' 'But what, Mary?' 'Oh, you cannot be sure that they will wish to be very intimate with us, our circumstances will be so different.' 'They are a family, Mary, that do not regard such distinctions. You will love them--I know you will. I hope to enjoy their society much, and I am sure you will too.' 'I will be there, as soon as I can, with the key; and if you are all willing, we will go to work, and arrange things a little for them.' 'Oh, certainly; we will go with pleasure. Good morning.' James accompanied her to the door. 'In an hour or so, I will be at your house. Good morning.' 'And I suppose he thinks the thimble will be a bribe to induce me to be very polite to that _eldest daughter_; but he need not fear. I shall do every thing I can to make it pleasant. The thimble I shall return when I have an opportunity, and shall tell him that Mary Oakum could be kind to his friends without--' She could not say any more, and this she did not say--she only thought it; and then she began to be very much ashamed that she had even thought it. But there was a tumult in poor Mary's heart: at times she would hush it, but then again it would arise, in spite of herself. James came after a while with the key, but not so soon as he expected. Mrs. Oakum and the girls accompanied him to the house; and as Mary resolved to put down all selfish feelings, and to be very pleasant and agreeable, every thing wore a cheerful aspect; for Mrs. Oakum and Susan were delighted with the idea of seeing and becoming acquainted with their new neighbors, especially as James gave such a favorable account of them. He had to take a little scolding from Susan, but it was done in such a good-natured way, that the harmony was not in the least disturbed by it. As they had never gratified their curiosity while the house was building, as many had, it was all new to them; great was the admiration expressed at the neatness, taste, and convenience of all its parts; the rooms were so pleasant, and the view so charming. 'And what a sweet place this is!' said Susan, as they entered one of the upper rooms; 'how gracefully those branches of the willow hang before the window, and how beautiful the water looks through them, and the church and the parsonage! It is the finest view from any part of the house, is it not, sister.' 'It is very beautiful,' said Mary; and she sighed.