home? Oh,
thank God again, again and forever, for a home like this!" and for a
few moments something of the ecstasy of one delivered from the black
thraldom of evil filled her soul. She paused now and then to listen to
the birds for only their songs seemed capable of expressing her
emotion. It was but another proof that heavenly thoughts and homely
work may go on together.

Chapter XXII.

Getting Acquainted

It was still early, and Holcroft was under the impression that Alida
would sleep late after the severe fatigues of the preceding day. He
therefore continued his work at the barn sufficiently long to give his
wife time for her little surprise. She was not long in finding and
laying her hands on the simple materials for breakfast. A ham hung in
the pantry and beneath it was a great basket of eggs, while the flour
barrel stood in the corner. Biscuits were soon in the oven, eggs
conjured into an omelet, and the ham cut into delicate slices, instead
of great coarse steaks.

Remembering Mrs. Mumpson's failure with the coffee, she made it a
trifle strong and boiled the milk that should temper without cooling
it. The biscuits rose like her own spirits, the omelet speedily began
to take on color like her own flushed face as she busied herself about
the stove.

Everything was nearly ready when she saw Holcroft coming toward the
house with two pails of milk. He took them to the large dairy room
under the parlor and then came briskly to the kitchen.

She stood, screened by the door as he entered, then stopped and stared
at the table all set and at the inviting breakfast on the stove.

Seeing Alida's half-smiling, half-questioning face, seeking his
approval, he exclaimed, "Well, you HAVE stolen a march on me! I
supposed you were asleep yet."

"I felt so much stronger and better when I awoke that I thought you
wouldn't mind if I came down and made a beginning."

"You call this a beginning do you? Such a breakfast as this before
seven in the morning? I hope you haven't overtaxed yourself."

"No, only a little of just the right kind of tired feeling."

"Haven't you left anything for me to do?"

"Perhaps. You will know when I've put all on the table. What I've
prepared is ready."

"Well, this is famous. I'll go and wash and fix up a little and be
right down."

When Holcroft returned, he looked at her curiously, for he felt that
he, too, was getting acquainted. Her thin face was made more youthfu