Then he arose, dressed himself, and went down-stairs.

He put more wood on the hearth fire, then knelt down before it, and puffed out his boyish cheeks at the bellows until the new flames crept through the smoke.

Then he lighted the lantern, and went to the barn to milk and feed the stock.

That was always Richard's morning task, and he always on his way thither replenished the hearth fire, that his sister Madelon might have a lighter and speedier task at preparing breakfast.

Madelon usually arose a half-hour after Richard, and she was not behindhand this morning.