Turning back the cover she put it in my hand, and told me to learn the first question.

She had not even inquired whether I could read.

I took the catechism, and stood as before.
"Go to your seat," she said.
I obeyed, and with the book before me pondered my plan.
Everything depended on whether I could open the door before she could reach me.

Once out of the house, I was sure of running faster than she could follow.

And soon I had my first experience of how those are helped who will help themselves.
The ironing of course required a fire to make the irons hot, and as the morning went on, the sunshine on the walls, conspiring with the fire on the hearth, made the place too hot for the comfort of the old dame.