Huldah slipped down the stairs as blithe as a bird. This was keeping
house in real earnest, and she loved it. She set to work to light
the fire and tidy the stove first, then she went and fed the hens,
and came back triumphantly, carrying three large eggs. When she had
shown these to Mrs. Perry, and discussed their size and beauty--and
surely there never had been such eggs found before--she went down and
had her wash, and oh, how she did enjoy it! She wished she had a
clean frock or apron to put on, too. But when she remembered all she
had got, she felt ashamed of herself, for even thinking of wanting
anything more.

In the scullery was a sweeping-brush, and the sight of it tempted her
to sweep up the kitchen. She opened the door wide, to let in the
sunshine and fresh air and the sweet scent of flowers, and then she
went sweeping away, not only the doorstep, but the tiled path down
the garden to the gate. For the moment she had forgotten her fear of
being discovered. All here seemed so different, so safe and
peaceful, and far away from her old unhappy life.

The sun was shining radiantly, drying up the dew on the flowers, and
making the red-tiled path glow warmly; it seemed to fill the garden,
the cottage, and all Huldah's world with cheerfulness. By the time
she had finished sweeping, the kettle was singing, so Huldah got the
teapot and warmed it. She even warmed the cup and saucer too, in her
anxiety that Mrs. Perry should have her tea as hot as possible.
Then she cut a slice of bread as neatly as she could and toasted it.

Dick was lying out in the sun, gnawing at the remains of his
ham-bone, as happy as a dog could be. Huldah glanced out at him