She had only the least little bit of raffia left, and to get more she would have to go into Belmouth.
"What a pity!" she cried, disappointedly; "it will take hours to walk there and back, and I meant to have done such a lot to-day!" She could have wept with vexation.

Belmouth was four miles off, and one of the hilliest four miles imaginable.

But it was not this that daunted her, it was the length of time that she would be kept from her work.

However, there was no good done by worrying over it, or by delaying, so, as soon as she had done her housework, and dinner was over and the dishes put away, she put on her new brown cloak, and with Dick for company she started.
They stepped out briskly, for the days were short now, and Mrs.Perry grew anxious if they were long away, and nervous if she were left alone when the light began to fade.

They stepped along so briskly that by half-past two they were in the town, and making their way to the shop where Miss Rose had bought the raffia before.