The room was long and rather low, but the bow-window gave it a cosy aspect; one glance satisfied me that I had space for the principal part of my books, the rest could be put in my bedroom.

When Mrs.Barton stirred the fire and lighted the candles the room looked extremely cheerful, especially as Tinker, the collie, had taken a fancy to the rug, and had stretched himself upon it after giving me a wag of his tail as a welcome.

Mrs.
Barton would hardly give me time to warm my hands before she begged me to follow her upstairs and take off my things while they brought in the luggage.
I found my bedroom had one peculiarity: you had to descend two broad steps before you entered it.
It was the same size as the parlour, and had a bow-window.

The furniture was unusually good; it had belonged to the previous lodger, Mrs.
Meredith, who had bequeathed it to Mrs.Barton at her death.
I was thankful to see a pretty iron bedstead with a brass ring and blue chintz hangings, instead of the four-poster I had dreaded.

There was a commodious cupboard and a handsome Spanish mahogany chest of drawers that Mrs.Barton pointed out with great pride.