When Jane reached home at dusk that evening Ellen was absent; but her arrival at the last moment allowed by the rules of the house, and in the highest possible spirits, convinced her sister that she had, according to her own predictions, "hit upon some way to amuse herself." "O Jane," she began, "what a pity you went out so early! Do you know that good-natured Fannie Ashton sent her little brother to say that her father and mother were going out, and she wished us to come and have tea with her, for she was obliged to stay at home to mind the little ones. So of course I went, and we have had such fun." "You and Fanny and the little ones?" said Jane, inquiringly. "Well, there was just another or two; and Henry Ashton brought in a companion with him to tea, so we were a merry party. Fanny said she ought to enjoy herself if she had to keep house, and she gave the children cakes and sugar-plums to keep them in good humor, and got them off to bed as soon as she could, and then we did enjoy ourselves till I was obliged to come away. They all laughed about your going to Mary Davis; and Fanny said you would be sure not to be caught so again. Did you get the lecture I promised you?" "No, indeed," said Jane; "and I don't know that there was anything to laugh at. I have had a very pleasant afternoon, and Mrs. Davis is such a nice kind person, her manners and mind are quite like a lady's, though she is not very well off now, I suppose. I was so glad when she asked me to go whenever I like on a Sunday afternoon; and I shall very often like, let who may laugh at it." "On wet Sundays, I suppose," said Ellen; "but of course you will not go and mope there on fine ones. We are to go next Sunday the excursion planned for to-day; and our party will have some other pleasant people I can promise you." "Ah, Ellen, take care. You know uncle said you were too fond of company and new acquaintances." "Well, do you think he would be pleased with your prim Mrs. Davis and her daughter? Does he not wish us to associate with people above us, rather than below us? So take care for yourself, Jane, and don't suppose that you need to watch over me." "But you must come with me to Mary's some day," said Jane, "and judge for yourself. You cannot help liking Mrs. Davis, I'm sure. And do you know she actually read such a pretty story, and you thought she read nothing but the Bible." "Now I know there were bits of the Bible in the book, weren't there, Jane?" asked Ellen, laughing. "Else you would never have got the story: I shan't let her choose stories for me." "It was all very good, wherever it came from," said Jane, "and quite fit for Sunday, though interesting enough for other days. I shall go and hear some more of it next Sunday; so, good-night."