n where to go. A forlorn little figure in her straight black
frock, clasping her mother's large old cotton umbrella. She wished she
could see Agnetta, but she did not appear. Soon her aunt and Bella came
into the yard, but their attention was immediately fixed on the chairs,
which Ben had now unloaded and placed in a long row by Lilac's side.

"Where were they to go?" asked Molly.

In the living-room, Mrs Greenways thought, where they were short of
chairs.

"In the bedrooms," said Bella contemptuously. "Common-looking things
like them."

"We could do with 'em in the kitchen," added Molly.

The dispute continued for some time, but in the end Bella carried the
day, and Mrs Greenways found time to notice the newcomer.

"Well, here you are, Lilac," she said. "Come along in, and Agnetta
shall show where you've got to sleep."

Agnetta led the way up the steep stairs to the top of the house. She
had rather a condescending manner as she threw open the door of a small
attic in the roof.

"This is it," she said; "and Mamma says you've got to keep it clean
yerself."

"I'd rather," said Lilac hastily. "I've always been used to."

She looked round the room. It was very like her old one at the cottage,
and its sloping ceiling and bare white walls seemed familiar and
homelike; it was a comfort, too, to see that its tiny window looked
towards the hills. As she observed all this she took off her bonnet,
and was immediately startled by a loud laugh from Agnetta.

"Well!" she exclaimed, "You have made a pretty guy of yourself."

Lilac put her hand quickly up to her head.

"Oh, I forgot--my hair," she said.

"Whatever made you do it?" asked Agnetta, planting herself full in front
of her cousin and staring at her.

"It's neater," said Lilac, avoiding the hard gaze. "I shall wear it so
till it gets longer. I'm not agoin' to have a fringe no more."

"Well!" repeated Agnetta, lost in astonishment; then she added:

"You do look comical! Just like a general servant. If I was you I'd
wear a cap!"

With this parting thrust she clattered downstairs giggling. So this was
Lilac's welcome. She went to the window, leant her arms on the broad
sill, and looked forlornly up at the hill. There was not a single
person who wanted her here, or who had taken the trouble to say a kind
word. How could she bear to live here always?

"Li-lack!" shrieked a voice up the stairs, "you're to come to tea."

Through the meal that