There was a small, dark landing between them and a steep, ladderlike stair led directly down into the living-room.

There was no one there; neither was there anyone in the small kitchen at the back.

Benis Spence decided that this second room was a kitchen because it contained a cooking stove.

Otherwise he would not have recognized it, Aunt Caroline's idea of a kitchen being quite otherwise.

Someone had been having breakfast on a corner of the table and a fire crackled in the stove.