Her comfort and wishes were always objects of the greatest consideration to the family, and this was proved whenever occasion allowed.

Her neatly white-washed cottage was enclosed by a wooden fence in good condition--her little garden laid out with great taste, if we except the rows of stiffly-trimmed box which Phillis took pride in.

A large willow tree shaded one side of it; and on the other, gaudy sunflowers reared their heads, and the white and Persian lilacs, contrasted with them.

All kinds of small flowers and roses adorned the front of the house, and you might as well have sought for a diamond over the whole place, as a weed.

The back of the lot was arranged for the accommodation of her pigs and chickens; and two enormous peacocks, that were fond of sunning themselves by the front door, were the handsomest ornaments about the place.
The room in which Phillis ironed, was not encumbered with much furniture.
Her ironing-table occupied a large part of its centre, and in the ample fireplace was blazing a fire great enough to cook a repast for a moderate number of giants.