thinks that I am hardly able to take care of myself. Aunt has kindly
promised to spare me Anne, so I shall have no trouble with servants to
begin with."
After a short stay in Basswoods, where Olive received so many bridal
presents as to materially increase her baggage, Mr. and Mrs. Landon
returned to M. to find her house all prepared for them, with tea ready,
Louisa looking out for them, and Anne in attendance.
The beautiful china which decorated the table, was at once recognized
by Olive as part of a set upon the merits of which Laura had asked her
opinion one day when they were in New-York. The house was elegantly
but not splendidly furnished, though Louisa thought nothing had ever
been seen more beautiful than the dark-green and crimson carpets and
rosewood chairs. She could hardly allow her sister-in-law time to take
off her bonnet, so anxious was she to display the contents of closets,
book-cases, drawing-room, and study, and especially her own little
room with its blue and white bed, table, and chairs all to match, and
its little book-case and desk, which Mrs. Merton said was to be all
her own. It was not till she had done the honors of the whole house
that she remembered that her brother and sister might possibly like
something to eat after their ride.
They had hardly finished their tea before a ring was heard, and in
came Mrs. Merton and Charlotte, closely followed by aunt Dimsden,
all anxious to see Olive, and know how she liked her new house. Mrs.
Merton was in her most gracious mood, and Louisa listened with blushing
delight to her commendation of her own conduct during her brother's
absence. The house had again to be passed in review; and the presents
of friends to be discussed and praised. The silk quilt which Olive
had brought from Basswoods, and upon which Anna and Phebe Jones had
been employed for a year previous, was displayed and admired, as well
as Mrs. Felton's knit counterpane, Ruth's beautiful embroidery, and
Augusta's Chinese screens and tea-trays. Charlotte thought Olive would
have to have a fancy-fair to get rid of the quantities of book-marks,
pen-wipers, glove-boxes, and other small articles presented by the
younger part of the congregation.
"Well, Olive," were Mrs. Dimsden's parting words, "you see I was
right, after all. I knew you would marry a minister, and really," she
concluded, glancing at Walter as she spoke, "taking all things into
consideration, I doubt if you could have done better even if I had
found you a husband myself."