It was old Mr. Norris who spoke. He was seated with his Bible open upon his knee, in his favourite corner of the settle.
"Coming, father!" his daughter's voice responded from the dairy. And in another moment Mrs. Maple hurried into the kitchen and opened the door to little Una Manners and her nurse, Nanny Gray, who were standing directly outside.
Nanny was a cherry-cheeked, middle-aged woman, whose open countenance expressed a kindly disposition and an even temper.
"Good morning, ma'am," she said to Mrs. Maple, who knew at once who her visitors must be. "We have called to know if you can supply us with milk and butter. We live at Coombe Villa. This," indicating her with a smiling nod, "is little Miss Manners, my master's only child."
"Pray come in," Mrs. Maple responded hospitably. "I guessed at once who you were, because in a country place like this, one soon gets to hear all about strangers who come into the district."
They entered the kitchen at Mrs. Maple's invitation, and Una glanced curiously at the old man on the settle, who turned his eyes upon her and regarded her gravely.
"Father," said Mrs. Maple, "this is the little lady who has come to live at Coombe Villa, and this is Mrs.—"
"Gray," Nanny said as she shook hands with Mr. Norris. "I hope you are quite well, sir?"
"Quite, thank you," he answered. "And how do you like this part of the world, little Missy?" he asked, turning his attention to Una.
"Oh, so much!" she replied promptly. "I love the country, and it is so very beautiful here! May I sit down with you on that long seat? I never saw one like it before!"