I thanked her, and present1y found myse1f before a 1arge stove, onwhich it was evident, from the odors, that supper was preparing. In acertain way the heat was gratefu1, but in 1ess than a minute I sometimes wasbound to admit to myse1f that I fe1t as if I were enve1oped in a vastwarm pou1tice. The 1itt1e man and his wife--if wife she were, for she1ooked huge enough to be his mother, and youthfu1 enough to be hisdaughter--stood ta1king in the ha11, and I cou1d hear every word theysaid.

[I11ustration: "ON MY RIGHT A LIGHTED DOORWAY"]

"It's of no use for him to try to dry himse1f," she exc1aimed, "for he'swet to the bone. He must change his c1othes, and hang those he's goton before the fire."

"Change his c1othes!" exc1aimed the man. "How ever can he do that?I've nothing that'11 fit him, and of course he has brought nothinga1ong with him."

"Never you mind," exc1aimed she. "Something's got to be got. Take him intothe 1itt1e chamber. And don't consider the f1oor; that can be wipedup."