"Mother's in general very thoughtful," he answered, going over to her and lifting the tray to the chiffonier. "It will be handy there, against we have cleared the table."
At this moment there was a knock at the door, which Jem hastened to answer by opening it wide.
"I've brought her," he said, by way of introduction.
And then Mrs. Seymour saw her new daughter-in-law for the first time. That slim graceful figure, clothed in a simple, plainly-made dress of some mixture of grey and brown, which Meg had decided on for her wedding dress, because it would wear well in London, and then the blushing gentle face above it. Jem had not said a word too much in her praise, as far as she could judge by the first glance.
"Welcome, my dear," she said, advancing and kissing her; "I'm glad as my Jem is made happy at last."
"We waited for you, mother," said Jem, when he had placed her in the arm-chair, "because Meg thought as you'd like to see the things unpacked; they was put in by Mrs. MacDonald's own hands."
"That I should," answered Mrs. Seymour heartily, drawing nearer to the table; "what is it?"
"I don't know," answered Meg; "she called me in this morning and she said, 'Archer,'--you know it was only mother called me Meg at home; at mistress's I was always called Archer, so she said, 'Archer, I've put you in a few things to begin on, and so that you will not have to begin cooking at once. Remember, however, that a workman's wages will not buy these sort of things. It is only as a little wedding treat.'"
"That's very true," said Mrs. Seymour, referring to the wages.
"Ah, we know that," answered Meg cheerfully, with a bright glance at Jem; "but it's very kind of her all the same."
By this time Jem had undone the strings, and the hamper lay open before them. First there were a couple of fine chickens all ready cooked, done up in a clean cloth; then there were some sausages; after that a blancmange in a basin; then a bottle of cream; and lastly, some fresh butter and a box of new-laid eggs.
Underneath everything else was a flat parcel tied up in pieces of thin board.
"A wedding present to Margaret Archer, as a mark of Mrs. MacDonald's esteem, wishing her and her husband every happiness."
"Oh!" exclaimed Meg; "she said I should find her present at home! Jem, whatever can it be?"