`` Now , I 'll rest and read for an hour , then I 'll rake my garden , or run down town to see Molly and get some seeds , '' she thought to herself , as she put away the spoons and glasses , which she liked to wash , that they might always be clear and bright . `` If you 've done all your own mending , there 's a heap of socks to be looked over . Then I 'll show you about darning the tablecloths . I do hate to have a stitch of work left over till Monday , '' said Mrs. Grant , who never took naps , and prided herself on sitting down to her needle at 3 P.M. every day . `` Yes , mother ; '' and Merry went slowly upstairs , feeling that a part of Saturday ought to be a holiday after books and work all the week . As she braided up her hair , her eye fell upon the reflection of her own face in the glass . Not a happy nor a pretty one just then , and Merry was so unaccustomed to seeing any other , that involuntarily the frown smoothed itself out , the eyes lost their weary look , the drooping lips curved into a smile , and , leaning her elbows on the bureau , she shook her head at herself , saying , half aloud , as she glanced at Ivanhoe lying near , -- `` You need n't look so cross and ugly just because you ca n't have what you want . Sweeping , baking , and darning are not so bad as being plagued with lovers and carried off and burnt at the stake , so I wo n't envy poor Rebecca her jewels and curls and romantic times , but make the best of my own . '' Then she laughed , and the bright face came back into the mirror , looking like an old friend , and Merry went on dressing with care , for she took pleasure in her own little charms , and felt a sense of comfort in knowing that she could always have one pretty thing to look at if she kept her own face serene and sweet . It certainly looked so as it bent over the pile of big socks half an hour later , and brightened with each that was laid aside . Her mother saw it , and , guessing why such wistful glances went from clock to window , kindly shortened the task of table-cloth darning by doing a good bit herself , before putting it into Merry 's hands . She was a good and loving mother in spite of her strict ways , and knew that it was better for her romantic daughter to be learning all the housewifery lessons she could teach her , than to be reading novels , writing verses , or philandering about with her head full of girlish fancies , quite innocent in themselves , but not the stuff to live on . So she wisely taught the hands that preferred to pick flowers , trim up rooms and mould birds , to work well with needle , broom , and rolling-pin ; put a receipt-book before the eyes that loved to laugh and weep over tender tales , and kept the young head and heart safe and happy with wholesome duties , useful studies , and such harmless pleasures as girls should love , instead of letting them waste their freshness in vague longings , idle dreams , and frivolous pastimes . But it was often hard to thwart the docile child , and lately she had seemed to be growing up so fast that her mother began to feel a new sort of tenderness for this sweet daughter , who was almost ready to take upon herself the cares , as well as triumphs and delights , of maidenhood . Something in the droop of the brown head , and the quick motion of the busy hand with a little burn on it , made it difficult for Mrs. Grant to keep Merry at work that day , and her eye watched the clock almost as impatiently as the girl 's , for she liked to see the young face brighten when the hour of release came . `` What next ? '' asked Merry , as the last stitch was set , and she stifled a sigh on hearing the clock strike four , for the sun was getting low , and the lovely afternoon going fast . `` One more job , if you are not too tired for it . I want the receipt for diet drink Miss Dawes promised me ; would you like to run down and get it for me , dear ? '' `` Yes , mother ! ''
and that answer was as blithe as a robin 's chirp , for that was just where XXXXX wanted to go .
Grant Ivanhoe Merry Molly afternoon burn darning hour left spoons