me time
before sunrise. Elizabeth softly got up, softly dressed
herself, and went out into the kitchen. That messenger must be
despatched for something for breakfast.

She was met by Clam coming in from another door.

"Well, Clam," said her mistress, "where is everybody this
morning?"

"I don't know where I am yet," said Clam. "Everybody's abed
and asleep, I 'spose. Where be you, Miss 'Lizabeth?"

"Did Mr. Landholm sit up all night?"

"'Most. He said 'twas near upon two o'clock."

"When?"

"When he had done sittin' up, and went to bed."

"How was Karen?"

"I 'spose she was _goin'_, but she ain't in no hurry -- she ain't
gone yet."

"Then she was no worse?"

"She was better. She was slicked up wonderful after seein' the
Governor, she telled me. I wonder who ain't."

"He has not come out of his room yet, I suppose?"

"I hope he haint," said Clam, "or I don' know when we'll get
breakfast -- 'less he turns to and helps us."

"He will want a good one, after last night, and yesterday's
journey. Where's Anderese?"

"He took some bread and milk," said Clam.

"Well -- where's Anderese? we must send him to Mountain
Spring."

"He's got to go after wood, Miss 'Lizabeth -- there ain't three
sticks more 'n 'll set the fire agoing."

"Must he! Then you must go, Clam."

"Very good. Who'll set the table, Miss 'Lizabeth?"

"Emma can. Or you can, after you get back."

"And there's the fire to make, and the floor to sweep, and the
knives to clean, and the bread to make --"

"Bread! --" said Miss Haye.

"Or cakes," said Clam. "One or t'other 'll be wanted. I don't
care which."

"Don't Emma know how?"

"She don't know a thing, but how to put Mrs. Haye's curls over
a stick -- when she ain't doin' her own."

"Then give me a basket -- I'll go to Mountain Spring myself."

"Who'll bring the meat and things home?"

"I will; -- or fish, or eggs, -- something, whatever I can get."

"It 'll tire you, Miss 'Lizabeth -- I guess, before you get
back."

"You find me a basket -- while I put on my bonnet," said Clam's
mistress. And the one thing was done as soon as the other.

"I 'spect I'll wake up some morning and find myself playing on
the pianny-forty," said Clam, as she watched her young
mistress walking off with the basket.

CHAPTER XVII.

When was old Sherwood's head more quaintly curled?
Or looked the earth more green upon the world?
Or nature's cradle more enchased and purled?
When did the air