Pink Chirk! what could a girl be like with such a name as that?
Hilda fancied her a stout, buxom maiden, with very red cheeks and very black eyes--yes, certainly, the eyes must be black! Her hair--well, one could not be so sure about her hair; but there was no doubt about her wearing a pink dress and a blue checked apron.

And she must be smiling, bustling, and energetic.

Yes! Hilda had the picture of her complete in her mind.

She wondered that this active, stirring girl never came up to the farm; but of course she must have a great deal of work to do at home.
By this time Hildegarde had reached the cottage; and after a moment's hesitation she knocked softly at the green-painted door.

No one came to open the door, but presently she heard a clear, pleasant voice from within saying, "Open the door and come in, please!" Following this injunction, she entered the cottage and found herself directly in the sitting-room, and face to face with its occupant.