“What is your name?” Berry asked, as they reached the porch.
“My name’s Lily.”
Berry pushed open the door into the kitchen, still clasping her companion’s arm. “Mother, here is Lily!” she announced.
CHAPTER VI
SECRETS
Mrs. Arnold was busy at the kitchen table when Berry’s announcement: “Here is Lily!” caused her to turn toward the door, and it was small wonder that for a moment she was too surprised at the sight that confronted her to speak. But she quickly realized what had happened, that Berry had encountered a fugitive slave girl and brought her to the cabin, and poor Lily’s frightened, pleading eyes, as well as her half-clothed, trembling form, instantly appealed to Mrs. Arnold’s sympathies.
“Come right to the fire, Lily,” she said kindly. “And, Berry, you would better heat some milk at once.”
Mrs. Arnold did not ask any questions. She could see that the negro girl was worn out by fatigue, hunger and cold, and promptly began to make her comfortable, bringing a warm blanket from the little chamber off the kitchen, where Francis had formerly slept, and wrapping it about the girl, who, silent, and still inclined to be afraid, sat stiffly on the wooden kitchen chair near the stove. Berry had instantly slipped off her cap, jacket and mittens, and put on a long gingham apron, that at once changed her appearance from that of a slender, alert boy to a curly-headed little girl. And as the shivering Lily watched her new friend set a small dipper filled with milk on the stove, and hurry back to the pantry for bread which she proceeded to toast and liberally spread with butter, Lily’s face softened and she became sure that this wonderful little person, who had brought her to warmth and shelter and promised to protect her, was really a girl.
Lily ate ravenously. The hot milk and buttered toast disappeared so quickly that Berry hurried to the pantry for the remains of the partridge, left from dinner, and for more bread, and a new supply of milk, all of which the negro girl devoured.
“I ain’t et rael food fer days,” she whispered, looking up at Berry. “An’ I neve’ ’spected I’d hev a chanst ter eat agin.”
While Berry was providing food for this unexpected visitor, Mrs. Arnold had filled a big kettle with water and set it on the stove to heat. The door into Francis’s room was open, and Mrs. Arnold had placed a small tub there, and by the time Lily’s appetite was satisfied the water was ready and the tub filled. Taking soap and towels Mrs. Arnold told the negro girl to follow her, and the surprised Lily was soon after introduced to the first hot bath of her life. Then, clad in a warm flannel wrapper, she curled up on the cot bed and was fast asleep when Mrs. Arnold returned to the kitchen.