"I wonder if your papa would say it was foolish of me, if I told them to light a bit of fire ?" "Have it lighted if you like," responded Barbara, ringing the bell.
"Papa will know nothing about it, one way or the other, for he won't be home till after bedtime.

Jasper, mamma is cold, and would like a fire lighted." "Plenty of sticks, Jasper, that it may burn up quickly," said Mrs.Hare, in a pleading voice, as if the sticks were Jasper's and not hers.
Mrs.Hare got her fire, and she drew her chair in front, and put her feet on the fender, to catch its warmth.

Barbara, listless still, went into the hall, took a woolen shawl from the stand there, threw it over her shoulders, and went out.

She strolled down the straight formal path, and stood at the iron gate, looking over it into the public road.

Not very public in that spot, and at that hour, but as lonely as one could wish.