A glance at his close,
thin lips and keen gray eyes would convince an observant person that
he would make it very uncomfortable for any one in his power who might
differ from him in opinion or dispute his authority. Just now he is
chatting pleasantly with his hired man, and pays no attention to the
children, who pass him on the way to the house.
Indoors Mrs. Stillman, a slender, fair-haired woman, who looks as if
she felt she owed the world an apology for living in it, is preparing
supper, assisted by her two daughters, Elizabeth, a sad-faced woman
of twenty-four, and Margaret, a girl of eighteen, with her father's
determined mouth and chin and her mother's large blue eyes and fair
hair. The clock struck five as the school-girls entered the kitchen,
a large room which in winter did duty as dining-room as well as
cooking-room.
"Run in the sitting-room, girls, and get warm," said the mother.
"Supper is almost ready."
"Oh, we're not cold; are we, Susy? I got another head mark, mother,"
said Rachel.
The mother smiled. "I hope you or Tom will get the prize. Where is
he?" She was interrupted by a stamping of feet as the door was thrown
open and Mr. Stillman, followed by the hired man and Tom, entered the
room.
"Supper is ready," said Mrs. Stillman. "We were just going to call
you.
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