Dick lying contentedly on his rug, Mrs. Perry sitting in her armchair
by the fire, reading aloud from one of her few but precious books.
They were old, those stories, but to Huldah they were more beautiful
than any she ever came across later on.

Then came the glad day when the basket was completed. Huldah had
taken more pains with it than with any she had ever made, and her
care was rewarded, for a prettier, daintier basket no one could wish
to possess. As soon as it was finished there arose the great
question of how, and when, and where the gift should be made.

"I want it to seem as if it comes from a brownie," Huldah insisted,
eagerly. "I couldn't make it at night, as the brownies would have
done, but couldn't I leave it, as they left their gifts, just where
it is sure to be found? It would be much nicer, wouldn't it?
Miss Rose would laugh, and be so pleased. I am sure she would like
to have it that way."

At last, after a great deal of thought, and a great many plans had
been made and set aside as not quite suitable, it was decided that
Huldah should get up early in the morning and walk to the vicarage,
then creeping softly into the stable, she would tie the parcel on to
Rob's back, or to his manger, where he could not reach it.
Miss Carew always went out early, to feed her hens, and to take Rob
some bread and sugar, so she would be sure to see it.

Another plan was for Huldah to creep into Miss Rose's sitting-room
when the maid's back was turned, and leave the parcel on the table;
but they did not like this plan very well, for one thing, Huldah
did not like creeping stealthily in and out of the house, and