And then in three minutes Lucy was standing by the fire.

Those three minutes had been taken up in embraces between the husband and the wife.

Let who would be brought as a visitor to the house, after a fortnight's absence, she would kiss him before she welcomed any one else.

But then she turned to Lucy, and began to assist her with her cloaks.
"Oh, thank you," said Lucy; "I'm not cold,--not very at least.

Don't trouble yourself: I can do it." But here she had made a false boast, for her fingers had been so numbed that she could not do nor undo anything.