It was astonishing how much was done, and how the sense of life in the air--the work of resulting prosperity, made men begin to tread with less listless steps as they went to and from their labour.

In the cottages things were being done which made downcast women bestir themselves and look less slatternly.

Leaks mended here, windows there, the hopeless copper in the tiny washhouse replaced by a new one, chimneys cured of the habit of smoking, a clean, flowered paper put on a wall, a coat of whitewash--they were small matters, but produced great effect.
Betty had begun to drop into the cottages, and make the acquaintance of their owners.

Her first visits, she observed, created great consternation.

Women looked frightened or sullen, children stared and refused to speak, clinging to skirts and aprons.