the three months of her further sojourn at Rockhold.

She had only now to collect these together, cause all the soiled
articles to be laundered, and then repack the valise. This occupied her
all the afternoon of the short November day.

At six o'clock she came down into the parlor to see that the lamps were
trimmed and lighted, and the coal fire stirred up and replenished, so
that her grandfather should find the room warm and comfortable on his
return home. Then she brought out his dressing gown and slippers, hung
the first over his arm chair and put the last on the warm hearthstones.

At length the carriage wheels were heard faintly over the soft, wet
avenue and under the pouring rain.

Old John, waiting in the hall to be ready to open the door in an
instant, did so before the Iron King should leave the carriage, and
hoisting a very large umbrella, he went out to the carriage door and
held it over his master while they walked back to the house and entered
the hall.

"Here! take off my rubber cloak! Take off my overcoat! Now my rubber
boots! What a night!" exclaimed the old man, as he came out of his
shell, or various shells.

Corona had the pitcher of punch on the table now with a cut-glass goblet
beside it.

"I hope you have not taken cold, grandfather," she said, drawing his
easy chair nearer the fire.

"Hold your tongue! Don't dare to speak to me! Leave the room this
instant! John! come in here. Pour me out a glass of that punch, and
while I sip it draw off my boots and put on my slippers," said the Iron
King, throwing himself into his big easy chair and leaning back.

Corona was more pained than surprised. She had expected something like
this from the Iron King. She replied never a word, but passed into the
adjoining dining room and sat down there. Through the open door she
could see the old gentleman reclining at his ease, and sipping his
fragrant hot punch while old John drew off his boots, rubbed his feet,
and put on his warm slippers. Presently the waiter brought in the soup,
put it on the table, and rang the dinner bell. Mr. Rockharrt put down
his empty glass, and arose and came to the table. Cora took her place at
the head of the board, hardly knowing whether she would be allowed to
remain there. But her grandfather took not the slightest notice of her.
She filled his plate with soup, and put it on the waiter held by the
young footman, who carried it to his master. In this manner passed the
whole d