“Yes, let’s go up and see her,” the children replied.
So Johnny hunted until he found the tiny button, and the cabinet swung out from the wall, disclosing the thoroughly scoured stairway.
When they were all on the inside the cabinet swung back into place, and the little doorway was hidden.
They went up the stairs and came into a very pretty little room with soft chairs and couches standing about.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” said the Little Old Lady, “while I get you a bite to eat and a cup of tea!”
From the coziness of the little room the storm could hardly be heard, and the visitors were happy, watching the Little Old Lady as she worked.
She wore a tiny little poke bonnet and a tight waist with an enormous overskirt of flowered material. Two cheery eyes full of twinkles looked out through shiny eyeglasses, and a stray white curl peeped out from beneath the back of her bonnet.
“When I heard you come running up the path, I hid,” the Little Old Lady said when the tea was ready, “for no one would suspect that I had a room up here and nothing would disturb me in my retreat.”
When all had eaten and Gran’ma had cleaned up the crumbs and started to wash the dishes, they were all startled by a loud thumping down stairs.
“Sh!” whispered the Little Old Lady. “Sit still while I take a peek!” She turned out the light and went to the picture and peeped through. Then she closed the picture window and turned on the light.