Dick had come in search of her.

She stood up and quietly made a step or two towards the scullery and the back door, wondering if she would be taking a great liberty to let him in.

She did long to.

And then, while she stood hesitating she heard a voice calling weakly down the stairs, "Little girl--Huldah, are you there ?" Huldah, greatly relieved, sprang to the foot of the stairs.

She was glad to have the silence broken at last.