To save her black frock from being spoiled by work she had learned to make herself a large gingham blouse, in which she felt free to do anything she pleased without harming her clothes.
In this simple active life Hetty developed a new spirit which surprised herself as much as it astonished her humble friends.

She worked in the garden and tended the poultry, besides performing various tasks which she took upon herself indoors.

And in this sort of happy industry several weeks flew, almost uncounted, away.
One evening Mrs.Kane and Hetty were sitting at the fire waiting for John to come in.

They were both tired after their day's work.

Mrs.Kane was sitting in a straw arm-chair and Hetty rested with her feet up on the settle.