Huldah did not mind that. She loved watching the people coming in
and making their purchases; it was all so lively and new and
interesting. The shopkeeper, who had seen her come there with Miss
Carew, and had heard about her basket-making, was nice and friendly
too. He seemed to take quite an interest in her work, and promised
to get her some orders if he could, so that altogether Huldah came
out of that shop feeling extremely happy, and not in the least sorry
that she had had to come.

"I feel almost too happy," she was saying to herself, as she stepped
out into the street, where the setting sun was flooding the place
with radiance, a dazzling, rosy radiance that shone right in Huldah's
eyes, and blinded her to all about her.

"It is all so lovely," she added, "it seems as if it can't be true,
as if I can't be really me"--a sudden sharp, excited barking on the
part of Dick made her turn quickly. She turned her back to the sun,
and the dazzle went out of her eyes, and with it the sunshine from
her life,--or so it seemed to her,--for there, drawn up by the
opposite pavement was her uncle's van, and old Charlie! and, as
Huldah knew, the owners themselves would not be far off!

Dick had recognised Charlie--that was the meaning of his excitement,
and therein lay the greatest danger, for he was barking and leaping
about the old horse in such delight that everyone's attention was
attracted, and it was only a question as to how soon he would attract
Uncle Tom's attention too. Huldah's own heart yearned to go over and
speak to the dear old horse, but her fears were stronger. She felt
half paralysed with terror, and for a moment her wits so forsook her
that she did not know what to do. Then inspiration came to her, and