But her husband was a high-spirited man and determined to stick to his rights, so he informed the agent that he refused to move until he received compensation for his improvements.
Questioned about these improvements, she led us through to the back to show us the ground, about half an acre in extent, part of which was used as a paddock for the donkey, and on the other part there were about a dozen rather sickly-looking young fruit trees.

Her husband, she said, had planted the orchard and kept the fence of the paddock in order, and they refused to compensate him! Then she took us up to the spare room, empty of furniture, the floor thick with dust.

The bed, table, chairs, washhandstand, toilet service--the things she had been so long struggling to get together, saving her money for months and months, and making so many journeys to the town to buy--all, all he had taken away and sold for almost nothing! Then, actually with tears in her eyes, she said that now we knew why she couldn't take us in--why she had to seem so unkind.
But we are going to stay, we told her.

It was a very good room; she could surely get a few things to put in it, and in the meantime we would go and forage for provisions to last us till Monday.
It is odd to find how easy it is to get what one wants by simply taking it! At first she was amazed at our decision, then she was delighted and said she would go out to her neighbours and try to borrow all that was wanted in the way of furniture and bedding.

Then we returned to Mr.
Brownjohn's to buy bread, bacon, and groceries, and he in turn sent us to Mr.Marling for vegetables.