CICELY.

THE BROOK.
In the kitchen at Lucketts' Place there was a stool made by sawing off about six inches of the butt of a small ash tree.

The bark remained on, and it was not smoothed or trimmed in any way.

This mere log was Cicely Luckett's favourite seat as a girl; she was Hilary's only daughter.

The kitchen had perhaps originally been the house, the rest having been added to it in the course of years as the mode of life changed and increasing civilisation demanded more convenience and comfort.