Huldah was almost glad her cheeks were so hot already,
for she felt herself blushing at this question. "No, ma'am, I--I
don't live anywhere. I'm come from Mrs. Perry, in Woodend Lane.
She's ill in bed, and if it wouldn't be putting you out very much,
please would you come and see her, miss? She'd be very much obliged,
I was to say."

Miss Carew's quick sympathy was aroused at once.

"Mrs. Perry ill. Oh, I am so sorry! What has caused it, I wonder?
I hope she hasn't been out in the hot sun. I warned her not to."

"No, miss; 'twas last night that upset her, I think. Some fellows
came and tried to steal her fowls, and she was reg'larly frightened
she was, and I reckon she caught cold standing at the door in her
nightdress."

"Some men came stealing her fowls! Oh, how wicked!" Miss Rose's
cheeks flushed with indignation, and her soft eyes sparkled with
anger. "Did they take them all?"

"No, miss, they didn't get any. Dick frightened the thieves off,
just as they were going to open the door, and he bit their legs too.
I'll be bound they're lame enough to-day!" and Huldah chuckled aloud
at the thought, forgetting her shyness, and everything else but the
thieves.

Miss Carew gazed at her, frankly puzzled. Who was Dick? and who was
this funny little maid with the brown skin, brown hair, golden brown
eyes, the shabby brown frock, and battered old hat?

"Are you a young relative of Mrs. Perry?" she asked, gently.

Huldah blushed again, and the laughter died out of her eyes.
"No, miss; I aint nobody's relative, I haven't got nobody but Dick."

"Is Dick your brother?"

"No, miss, he's only a dog; but he's ever such a good dog," eagerly.
"He's so clever, there's nothing he can't do. He's at home with Mrs.
Perry now, to keep her company while I'm gone, 'cause she's nervous
after last night."

"I see," said Miss Carew, thoughtfully. "I am very glad she has Dick
to take care of her. Tell her I will come to see her this morning,
will you? and wait a moment, I must give you something for Dick, as a
reward for his care last night."

Miss Rose opened the door near which they had been standing, and
disclosed a large wide, slate-paved passage, with large, cool-looking
slate slabs on each side. After the glare and heat outside, the
slates looked cool and restful to the eye. At the other end of the
passage a door stood open, and through it Huldah could see a big
bright kitchen, with a snowy table standing in t