“‘Yes, it is pretty. Now we must go in and go to work.’
“The opened door led into the small dining-room; small and so crowded; as my big brother said, there was a place for everything, and everything was in it.
“The front parlor, back parlor, hall, all crowded; up stairs there was nothing but emptiness and roominess.
“The kitchen, such a pretty kitchen, was crowded with everything, too—and a pine table, a firkin, and an up-turned, or down-turned peach basket.
“I was in a whirl, an ecstasy, an enthusiasm; but as somebody remarks, nothing is done without enthusiasm; now what should I do with mine, that, and nothing else?
“Suddenly, to Elsie’s great perplexity, I gave a shout and rushed out the dining-room door, and down through the tangles into the road.
“I had espied two men, working men, in shirt sleeves, with coats thrown over their arms. Farmers, or farmer’s sons, probably, great, true-hearted sons of the soil, knightly fellows who were ready to—
“‘Are you—do you know anybody—’ I began, breathless, and with flying hair.
“‘We have just moved in. I would like things moved, and bedsteads put up, and boxes opened.’
“He had lost one eye; the other eye looked honest.
“‘Yes, we’re out of the work,’ said his companion.
“He had a stiff neck; he did not look quite so honest.
“‘Yes, right off. Come, Jim,’ was the cheerful response. ‘All we want is to be told what to do.’ I could always tell people what to do; at home I was called the ‘manager.’
“For two hours I kept those men busy; Elsie, with grave eyes and sealed lips, followed us about. I tried to forget the stiff neck, and the eye that did not look honest, and had forgotten both, when there was a heavy rap on the open dining-room door.
“There stood the young man from the store.
“I had forgotten that I did not like those two busy men, who never spoke unless spoken to, still I was glad enough to cry when I saw this familiar and friendly face.
“I had known him so long ago I could tell him anything.
“‘H’m. Somebody to help you,’ he said, stepping in, pad and pencil in hand, for an order.
“The men were in the back parlor; one was unpacking a box of books, the other was sweeping.
“Yes,” I replied confidently, “I needed help and I called them in. I don’t believe—” my voice sinking to a whisper, “that they are tramps, do you?”