"Here we are at home, master," he said, in a calm voice.

A wicket gate squeaked, several puppies began to bark all together.

I raised my head, and by the glare of the lightning, I descried a tiny hut, in the center of a spacious yard, surrounded with wattled hedge.

From one tiny window a small light cast a dull gleam.
The forester led the horse up to the porch, and knocked at the door.

"Right away! right away!" resounded a shrill little voice, and the patter of bare feet became audible, the bolt screeched, and a little girl, about twelve years of age, clad in a miserable little chemise, girt about with a bit of list, and holding a lantern in her hand, made her appearance on the threshold.
"Light the gentleman," he said to her:--"and I will put your carriage under the shed." The little lass glanced at me, and entered the cottage.