t it?' she said. 'They said he was a tall
man, and I see _this_ is a tall un. Is it the cunnel himself? I
couldn't somehow make out the name--I never kin; and I kin't _see_
nothin', as the light is.'

'At your service, madam,' said the person addressed. 'Colonel
Gainsborough.'

The visitor dropped a little dot of a curtsey, which seemed to Esther
inexpressibly funny, and went on.

'Beg pardon for not knowin'. Wall, cunnel, I'm sure you're tired and
hungry,--you and your darter, is it?--and I've got a hot supper for you
over to my house. I allays think there's nothin' like hevin' things
hot,--cold comfort ain't no comfort, for me,--and I've got everythin'
hot for you--hot and nice; and now, will you come over and eat it? You
see, you kin't do nothin' here to-night. I don't see how ever you're to
sleep, in this world; there ain't nothin' here but the floor and the
boxes, and if you'll take beds with me, I'm sure you're welcome.'

'I thank you, madam; you are very kind; but I do not think we need
trouble you,' the colonel said, with civil formality. Esther was
amused, but also a little eager that her father should accept the
invitation. What else would become of him? she thought. The prospect
was desolation. Truly they had some cooked provisions; but that was
only cold comfort, as their visitor had said; doubtful if the term
could be applied at all.

'Now you'd jes' best come right over!' the fluent but kind voice said
persuasively. 'It's all spilin' to be eat. An' what kin you do? There
ain't no fire here to warm you, and it'll take a bit of a while before
you kin get one; an' you're all tired out. Jes' come over and hev a cup
o' hot coffee, and get heartened up a bit, and then you'll know what to
do next. I allays think, one thing at a time.'

'Papa,' said Esther a little timidly, 'hadn't you better do it? There's
nothing but confusion here; it will be a long time before we can get
you even a cup of tea.'

'It's all ready,' their visitor went on,--'ready and spilin'; an' I got
it for you o' purpose. Now don't stan' thinkin' about it, but jes' come
right over; I'll be as glad to hev you as if you was new apples.'

'How far is it, ma'am?' Esther asked.

'Jes' two steps--down the other side o' the field; it's the very next
house to your'n. Oh, I've lived there a matter o' ten year; and I was
main glad to hear there was somebody comin' in here agin; it's so sort
o' lonesome to see the winders allays shut up; and y