"Very pretty," replied Mrs. Deborah. "I am glad Lucy Corbet feels so much at home with us. But what were you going to say, niece?" "I was going to say, madam, that if I had some hips, and currant jelly, and honey, and poppy-heads, I could make a confection that might help my Aunt Chloe's cough. I learned the recipe at the convent, where we used to make many such things, and I know this medicine did Sister Baptista a great deal of good." "I should think it very likely," said Mrs. Chloe, with some eagerness. "It sounds like a good recipe. Sister Deborah, don't you think the remedy Lucy Corbet proposes to make for me might be worth trying?" "I cannot see any hurt it would do," answered Mrs. Deborah; "and as we have abundance of hips about Highbeck there would be no harm in trying. Do you know how to use the still, Lucy Corbet?" "Yes, Aunt Deborah; I learned to use the lembic and the hot still at St. Jean, but not the worm. There was always talk of buying one, but Sister Bursar never had the money to spare when the time came." "Was she so stingy as that?" asked Mrs. Deborah. "No, indeed, madam," I answered with some heat. "Sister Bursar never was stingy. We gave away all the medicines and cordials we made. But there never was more than money enough to buy what was absolutely needful, and not always that." "Well, well, you shall tell me all about it sometime. I am glad you understand the still, for it is a kind of hobby of mine. Now if you have finished your breakfast, we will have prayers, and then go into the town. Do you like shopping?" "Yes, Aunt Deborah, I like it very well when I do not wish to buy anything myself," answered Amabel, to whom the question was addressed. "I meant to buy you some watches, but I see you have them already," continued Mrs. Deborah. "Did my brother send them?" Amabel told the story of our watches, and I added that Captain Corbet left his respectful compliments for the ladies, and felt himself greatly obliged to them for giving a home to his niece. Mrs. Deborah expressed herself very well-pleased, and said she was glad I had found such a friend. She read Prayers herself, requesting Amabel to read a psalm, and then asked us if we could not sing a hymn. Then we went out into the town and dutifully followed the two elder ladies all the morning, watching to see Mrs. Deborah buy tea, and coffee, and loaf sugar, spices and other foreign commodities. All, these things were very high at that time, in consequence of the war with France. Tea, I remember, was thirteen shillings a pound for the best Bohea. Mrs. Deborah bought a chest of this and one of a cheaper sort, which Mrs. Chloe told me was to give away to the sick poor.