The work was a simple one: she set her knee against the door to shut it more firmly, and worked an old nail into the latch.

Then she shook down the scant cotton curtains that were twisted aside from the windows.

There were three windows, two in the living-room (which was also kitchen and beer-saloon) and one in the bedroom; that was the whole of the house.

There was not an article of furniture in the place that was not absolutely necessary; what there was was clean.

The girl herself was clean, middle-sized, and dressed in garments that were old and worn; there was about her appearance a certain brightness and quickness, which is the best part of beauty and grace.