And so it came to pass, when Cherry had done her steps the next morning, the cook asked her to step into the kitchen with a very pleased look. Cherry entered wondering, and then Jane ran down-stairs in a great bustle, and said she couldn't stay, but did nevertheless, while they produced her print dress, which cook explained had shrunk in the wash, and which they had together altered to Cherry's size. "There!" said Jane, "we were up till I don't know what time doing it, and I believe it 'ull fit splendid." Cherry, for thanks, burst into tears, at which both the kind-hearted girls looked very concerned. But when she could look up again, she said gently-- "Please, you mustn't think as those belongin' to me wouldn't give me clothes; but there's been illness and death in the house, and they took me and my little brother when we was in the greatest want. They're _ever_ so kind to us, only mother-Meg has not been strong enough to see about anything yet." The pathetic eyes of the child, begging for indulgence, lest her best friends should be blamed for her poverty, quite struck the two well-to-do young women, and the cook answered quickly-- "I quite believe it, my dear; don't have any fear of us. Take your dress home, and tell--who is it, dear?" "Mother-Meg----" "Tell her that you've been a very good girl, and have done your steps very nicely to-day. I'll come and see her one of these days." [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XVIII. MEG'S SAVINGS. During the week which elapsed before Jem's work took him into the country, Meg and Cherry were busy from morning till night. Dickie must have a new frock, and, indeed, so must Cherry, though the doctor's servants had been so kind as to provide her with a print one. "Cherry," said Meg one morning, "you know we'd take you with us if we could; but you see, dear, my mother hasn't but one room to spare, and I'm afraid, besides, we should be too large a party for her. But I shan't forget; and you must go another time." Cherry looked up brightly. "Oh, yes, mother-Meg; of course I _should_ like to see the green fields, but I couldn't leave the doctor's anyhow; so if you could take me ever so, I couldn't go." "No," said Meg; "but I should not wish you to think I'd forgot you, dear." Just then Mrs. Blunt tapped at the door, and came in with her pleasant face. "Here I am, Mrs. Seymour; did ye expect me afore?" "I was so busy that I hardly knew the time," answered Meg; "but I hope it isn't inconvenient to you to come?" "Not a bit of it! Why, I'm pleased, I'm sure, as you want me. It's nice to be wanted, ye know, sometimes." "I expect you're often wanted," smiled Meg. She shook her head, smiling too. "More of late than I used to be," she said. "But now what is it you want me to do?"