said, "No, thank you, ma'am," though she could really have eaten the
whole of the nice brown crusty top. But she was more interested in
Miss Rose than in her own appetite.

"Does Miss Rose live near here?" she asked.

Mrs. Perry smiled. "Why, how funny!" she exclaimed. "I was thinking
of Miss Rose too. Yes; she lives at the vicarage, and that's a
little way further on in the main road. If you hadn't turned down
this lane, you'd have come to it about half-a-mile further on.
I wonder you didn't see the church tower as you came along."

"It was too dark," said Huldah. "Oh, I was glad when I saw your
light shine out," she added, impetuously. "I didn't know what to do
or where to go, and we were so tired! I very nearly lay down under
the hedge, 'cause I felt as if I couldn't drag another step."

"It'd have been better for you if you hadn't seen it, but had gone on
till you came to the vicarage."

"I don't think so," said Huldah, emphatically. "P'raps the servants
would have driven us off,--anyway, they couldn't have been kinder
than you was--"

"It wouldn't have been better for me if you'd gone on," added Mrs.
Perry, gratefully. "I shouldn't have had any hens now, if it hadn't
been for you, and I'd have been scared to death. I think I will go
up to bed now," she added presently, in a weary voice. "I had
thought I wouldn't go back again, but I am that tired."