Her father's cottage was soon gained.

He did not live alone.

His only son, Robert--who had a wife and family--lived with him.

Robert was the son of his youth; Rachel the daughter of his age; the children of two wives.
Matthew Frost's wife had died in giving birth to Robert, and twenty years elapsed ere he married a second.

He was seventy years of age now, but still upright as a dart, with a fine fresh complexion, a clear bright eye, and snow-white hair that fell in curls behind, on the collar of his white smock-frock.
He was sitting at a small table apart when Rachel entered, a candle and a large open Bible on it.