"Yes, I am, Miss Redwood; just the same!"
"La, child, you don't feel that you've growed, do you? Folks grow in'ardly and out'ardly; and they change, too, in'ardly and out'ardly; and it's other folks that see it, not them."
"But how do you think I'm changed, Miss Redwood? I am sure you're mistaken."
The housekeeper gave another benevolent, keen look at her, smiling a little, and then went off into her pantry without answering.
"It's all right I made gingerbread to-day," she said, coming out with a beautiful loaf of that article. "Have you had any dinner? I'll be bound you'd like some beef and eggs. Wait a bit, and you shall have it. Mr. Richmond will be all ready for it too, after his ride. I reckon you hain't much to do with handling of spiders now?" This with a sidelong glance at Matilda.
"No, Miss Redwood; I haven't time for such things."
"How do ye expect to keep house one o' these days, if you don't know how?"
"That's a great way off," said Matilda smiling.
"Just as it happens," said the housekeeper. "You're eleven or twelve this summer; which is it? and you won't be any wiser in the kitchen just by growing older in the parlour."
"I know some things now, Miss Redwood."