Well, she took her three turnings to the right, and they brought her to the farm, lying not far up the last lane; the farm-buildings—barn, stable, and a whole clump of outbuildings—lying back from the road a little, and all lit up by the last rays of sunset. The house looked out upon the lane, where the shadows were gathering fast, under the many-tinted elm trees overshadowing it. Three spotlessly white steps led up to the front door, a strip of green turf lying each side, enclosed by green iron railings, and shut in by a little green gate. A quaint old house it was, with many crooks, corners, [p24] and gables, and small lattice diamond-paned windows, through one of which gleamed the ruddy glow of a fire. Ah! the air was crisp, the sun well-nigh gone, the evening creeping on. Inna sighed, and, tripping through the little green gate, mounted the three white steps, and, by dint of straining, reached up, and knocked with the knocker almost as loudly as a timid mouse. But it brought an answer, in the shape of a middle-aged woman, in a brown stuff gown, white apron and cap, dainty frillings of lace encircling her face. A sober face it was, yet kindly, peering down in astonishment at our small heroine, standing silent there among the deepening shadows in the crisp chilly air.
“Well, dearie, what is it?” she questioned, as the child opened her lips to speak, and said nothing.
“I’m Inna: please may I come in and tell you all about it?” asked the silvery tongue then.
“Yes, of course—that is, if you have anything to tell;” and with this the woman made way for the little girl to pass her, and shut the door.
“This way,” she said; and that was to the kitchen.
[p25]
Such a clean, cheery, comfortable place, with its wood fire filling it with ruddy glow and warmth, which was like a silent welcome.
“Now, who’s ill and wants a doctor? Sick folks’ messengers shouldn’t lag,” said the woman, scanning her visitor as they both stood in the firelight glow.
“Oh, nobody is ill; and I only—I mean—I don’t know where to begin,” was the bewildering answer.
“Well, of course you know what brought you,” suggested the other.
“Oh, the train brought me; and I’ve come to stay here.”