The homestead stood on an eminence, but was hidden by elms and sycamores, so that it was possible to pass at a distance without observing it.
On entering the sitting-room Harry leaned his gun against the wall in the angle between it and the bureau, from which action alone it might have been known that he was a bachelor, and that there were no children about the house to get into danger with fire-arms.

His elderly aunt, who acted as housekeeper, was already at table waiting for him.

It was spread with a snow-white cloth, and almost equally snow-white platter for bread--so much and so well was it cleaned.

They ate home-baked bread; they were so many miles from a town or baker that it was difficult to get served regularly, a circumstance which preserved that wholesome institution.

There was a chine of bacon, small ale, and a plentiful supply of good potatoes.