A corner was at last found amongst the chairs, and Ben having hoisted
himself on to the shaft they started slowly on their way. Lilac kept
her eyes fixed on the cottage until a turn of the road hid it from her
sight. It was just there she had turned to look at Mother on May Day.
What a long, long time ago, and what a different Lilac she felt now!
Grave and old, with all manner of cares and troubles waiting for her,
and no one to mind if she were glad or sorry. No one to want her much
or to be pleased at her coming. A burden instead of a blessing. She
clung to the hope that Agnetta at least would not think her so, but
would welcome her to her new home and be kind to her; but she was the
only one of whom she thought without shrinking. Her aunt and uncle,
Bella and Peter, above all the last, were people to be afraid of.

"Here's the young master," said Ben, suddenly turning his face round to
look at her. "He be coming up to fetch the rest of the sticks."

Lilac peeped out through the various legs of chairs which surrounded
her; towards her, crawling slowly up the hill, came a wagon drawn by
three iron-grey horses, and by their side a broad-shouldered, lumbering
figure. It was her Cousin Peter. Of course it was Peter, she thought
impatiently, turning her head away. No one else would walk up the hill
instead of riding in the empty wagon. The descent now becoming easier
Ben whipped up his horse, and they soon jolted past Peter and his team.

"There's been a sight o' deaths lately in the village," he resumed
cheerfully, having once broken the silence. "I dunno as I can ever call
to mind so many. The bell's forever agoin'. It's downright mournful."

He was kindly disposed towards Lilac, and having hit upon this lucky
means of entertaining her he dwelt on it for the rest of the way,
fortunately requiring no answering remarks. It seemed long before they
reached the farm, and Lilac was cramped and tired in her uneasy position
when they had at last driven in at the yard gate. There was no one to
be seen; but presently Molly, the servant girl, having spied the arrival
from the back kitchen, came and stood at the door. When she discovered
Lilac almost hidden by the chairs, she hastened out and held up a broad
red hand to help her down from the cart.

"You've brought yer house on yer back like a hoddy-dod," she said with a
grin.

Lilac clambered down with difficulty, and stood by the side of the cart
uncertai