Not till these greetings were over and the sound of the cab wheels had died away, did Sarah Evans make her appearance, neat and smiling, and with the words, "I'm glad to see you safe back, Mrs. Livesey."
The mother's eye had already travelled round the house, and long experiences of its ins and outs enabled her to realize the beautiful cleanliness of every part. There were no neglected shelves or dusty corners; no windows dim with dirt, no unwashed crockery on table or dresser.
It was high summer, so the one fire was in the little kitchen at the back. There it blazed merrily, and the bright fender and the few tin articles reflected its glow. The kettle sang a pleasant song, and a little rasher of bacon, only meant for the newly arrived house-mother, sent out a savoury smell to greet the nostrils of the tired and hungry traveller.
Mrs. Livesey's first words to Sarah Evans were not an answer to the young woman's greeting, but they came straight from the mother's heart.
"Eh! But you've done well by them all since I've been away. I'm sure I don't know how to thank you."
The words were just what Sarah had worked to win, and her bright face told that she regarded them as far better payment than the modest sum which had hitherto rewarded her services.
The girl busied herself in taking off Margaret's things, giving her warm water to wash with, and bestowing on her all the kindly attentions which cannot be bought, but which proceed from an honest and good heart.
They were very grateful to Margaret, who said, "Dear, dear, I'm not used to be waited on. It's mostly my work to run about after other folks."
But Sarah continued her thoughtful ministry until the meal was over, and the younger children in bed. Then, when she had done what she could, she said, "I'll be going home now, for mother hasn't been so well the last day or two. She'll be glad to see me, and you and Mr. Livesey 'll have plenty to talk about. But I'll come over for an hour or two in the morning, to fetch a few things that I can't take with me to-night, and if I can just help you to straighten up, I will."
So, with true delicacy and thought for others, Sarah Evans left husband and wife alone together as soon as possible.