beside her, while two silver bowls of bread and milk were finished
to the last drop.

"There!" said she, pleasantly warmed by these exertions, "now for
nighties! And Daddy can come as soon as he likes."

But Virginia was fretful and sleepy now, and did not want to be put
down. So Diego manfully departed kitchenward with the empty bowls,
and Anne, baby, rocker, and all, hitched her way across the room to
the old chest of drawers by the hall door, and managed to secure the
small sleeping garments with the little daughter still in her arms.
She had hitched her way back to the fireplace again, and was very
busy with buttons and strings, when Helma, appearing in the doorway,
announced a visitor.

"Who?" said Anne, puzzled. "Did the bell ring? I didn't hear it.
What is it?"

"Jantl'man," said Helma.

"A gentleman?" Anne, very much at a loss, got up, and carrying
Jinny, and followed by the barefoot Diego, went to the door. She had
a reassuring and instant impression that it was a very fine--even a
magnificent--old man, who was standing in the twilight of the little
hall. Anne had never seen him before, but there was no question in
her heart as to his reception, even at this first glance.

"How do you do?" she said, a little fluttered, but cordial, too.
"Will you come in here by the fire? The sitting-room is so cold."