Years of hard toil had not familiarized her with the circumstances of her lot.

She tried to be humble and submissive, but the memory of her early days could not be driven away.
Katy returned in a few minutes with the jug of molasses.

She bustled round and made up a good fire, got the kettle on, and everything in readiness for the work.

Her mother gave her directions how to proceed; but Katy could impart to her none of her own enthusiasm.
When the molasses had been cooked enough, she was ready to commence the pulling, which was the most difficult part in the manufacture of her merchandise.

Then she found that her trials had indeed commenced.