But, after a while the time seemed so long, the night so endless, and the morning so far off, she longed to be able to go to sleep, to bring it nearer more quickly, and while she was wondering if the kitchen clock had really struck ten, or was it really six, and time to get up, she fell asleep, and the next thing she was conscious of was Mrs.Perry calling her, and the old clock in the kitchen striking six as hard as it could strike.
"You dress and get ready, and I will light the fire," she said; and when Huldah presently went downstairs, the kitchen was bright with lamp and firelight, the kettle was singing gaily, and Mrs.Perry was already warming the tea-pot.
By the time they had had their tea and Huldah was ready to start, it was already growing light out of doors.

The night had been cold, and there was a thin layer of ice on the puddles in the road, and a nipping little wind made Huldah glad to wrap her old shawl snugly about her,--the shawl which Mrs.Perry had lent her, to save the new cloak.

Dick bounded along delightedly; it was not often now that he had a walk at that hour of the morning, and he rejoiced in every inch of it; though he was rather hurt when, on reaching the vicarage gate, Huldah took a piece of string from her pocket and fastened it to his collar.

It was only his perfect trust in his mistress that enabled him to bear such an indignity, and he followed her full of wonder as to what was to happen next.
Keeping on the grass by the side of the drive, they made their way noiselessly round to the courtyard and stables.

No one was about out of doors, Huldah rejoiced to see, but guessed that Dinah was already up and in the kitchen, for smoke was coming out of a chimney.
With Dick keeping obediently close to her side, she timidly opened the stable door and crept swiftly in.