`` Good-will giveth skill , '' says the proverb , and even particular Mrs. Grant was satisfied when she paused to examine the pastry with her experienced eye . `` You are a handy child and a credit to your bringing up , though I do say it . Those are as pretty pies as I 'd wish to eat , if they bake well , and there 's no reason why they should n't . '' `` May I make some tarts or rabbits of these bits ? The boys like them , and I enjoy modelling this sort of thing , '' said Merry , who was trying to mould a bird , as she had seen Ralph do with clay to amuse Jill while the bust was going on . `` No , dear ; there 's no time for knick-knacks to-day . The beets ought to be on this minute . Run and get 'em , and be sure you scrape the carrots well . '' Poor Merry put away the delicate task she was just beginning to like , and taking a pan went down cellar , wishing vegetables could be grown without earth , for she hated to put her hands in dirty water . A word of praise to Roxy made that grateful scrubber leave her work to poke about in the root-cellar , choosing `` sech as was pretty much of a muchness , else they would n't bile even ; '' so Merry was spared that part of the job , and went up to scrape and wash without complaint , since it was for father . She was repaid at noon by the relish with which he enjoyed his dinner , for Merry tried to make even a boiled dish pretty by arranging the beets , carrots , turnips , and potatoes in contrasting colors , with the beef hidden under the cabbage leaves . `` 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 XXXXX so as it bent over the pile of big socks half an hour later , and brightened with each that was laid aside .
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