ve herself up to studying the little kitchen, and all that was in
it.

It was very wonderful, she thought, and very lovely. There were some
dark green wooden chairs, and an arm-chair, and a little round table,
scrubbed to spotless whiteness. Above her head, on a window-ledge
stood some geraniums in full bloom, and on a row of shelves let into
the wall stood a large Bible, with a crochet mat over it, and some
other books, some vases and ornaments, and a box covered with shells.
The only other things to see were the grandfather's clock in the
corner, some well-polished bright things on the mantel-piece, a pair
of brass candlesticks, a couple of tea-caddies, and a pair of
snuffers on a tray.

There were some pictures on the wall, and an almanac. One picture
showed two beautiful horses ploughing a field, a white horse and a
brown one, the other was of the same two horses going slowly home, at
the end of the day's work. The sight of the white horse brought
Charlie to Huldah's mind, and filled her eyes with tears.

"Oh, if only Charlie was here too!" she thought, "and if only he
looked like that horse there!"

There was indeed all the difference in the world between the
well-fed, well-groomed horse in the picture, with his erect head, his
bright eyes and glossy coat, and poor old Charlie, with his bones
showing distinctly through his rough, neglected coat, his drooping
head and sad eyes!

Huldah looked and looked again at the pictures; she thought they were
perfectly beautiful; but by-and-by she began to fidget a little.
She was tired of lying quiet, and the silence and stillness worried
her. She slid off the sofa, and sat on the edge of it, wondering if
she might move, if she might go and see Dick, or clean up the grate
and light the fire.

Presently there was a whine at the back door. Dick had come in
search of her. She stood up and quietly made a step or two towards
the scullery and the back door, wondering if she would be taking a
great liberty to let him in. She did long to. And then, while she
stood hesitating she heard a voice calling weakly down the stairs,
"Little girl--Huldah, are you there?"

Huldah, greatly relieved, sprang to the foot of the stairs. She was
glad to have the silence broken at last. "Yes ma'am. It was only
Dick whining to come in."

"Let him in, then come up to me, will you?"

Ordering Dick to stay below, Huldah mounted the stairs, full of awe.
She had not been allowed up t