At her father's call she came out, lifted Blanka like a child from the carriage, and carried her into the house.

It was a pleasant little abode, built of smoothly planed oak beams and planks.

The kitchen, which served also as entrance hall, was as neat as wax and cheerfully adorned with brightly polished tinware.
The fire on the hearth was still smouldering, and it needed only a handful of shavings to make it blaze up and crackle merrily.

The wall which separated the great fireplace from the next room was of glazed tiles, and thus the adjoining apartment was heated by the same fire that warmed the kitchen.

Both the master of the house and his daughter were most cordial toward their guests.