"Not so near related as some," was all he said in reply to this. After
a moment, he added: "You can go along to the house yonder. Aunt Alviry
will show you what to do."

Ruth could not have said another word just then without breaking down
and weeping, so she only nodded and turned to walk up a path toward
the house door.

"One thing," urged the old man, before she had gone far. She turned to
look at him and he continued: "One thing I want you to understand, if
you live here you have got to work. I don't like no laggards around
me."

She could only nod again, for her heart seemed to be right in her
throat, and the sting of the tears she wanted to shed, but could not,
almost blinded her as she went on slowly to the house door.

CHAPTER VII

AUNT ALVIRAH'S BACK AND BONES

Ruth came to the kitchen door and found that the lower half was
closed; but she could see over the upper panel that had been flung
wide to let in the sweet Spring air and sunlight. A little old woman
was stooping to brush the rag carpet with a whisk broom and dustpan,
and as she hobbled around the big stove and around the table, which
was already set neatly for dinner, she was crooning to herself:

"Oh, my back and oh, my bones ! Oh, my back and oh, my bones!"