It was past eleven when I arrived there, for I had to do an errand first of all for the Squire. Anne was kneeling down in the parlour amidst a lot of small cuttings of plants, which she had brought from France. They lay on the carpet on pieces of paper. She wore a fresh white cotton gown, with black spots upon it, and a black bow at the throat; and she looked nicer than ever. "Look here, Johnny; I don't know what to do. The labels have all come off, and I can't tell which is which. I suppose I did not fasten them on securely. Sit down--if you can find a chair." The chairs and tables were strewed with books, most of them French, and other small articles, just unpacked. I did not want a chair, but knelt down beside her, asking if I could help. She said no, and that she hoped to be straight by the morrow. The doctor had stepped out, she did not know where, "to escape the smell of the paint." I was deep in the pages of one of the books, "Les Contes de Ma Bonne," which Anne said was a great favourite of hers, though it was meant for children; and she had her head, as before, bent over the green sprigs and labels, when a shadow, passing the open glass doors, glanced in and halted. I supposed it must be the doctor; but it was Sir Robert Tenby. Up I started; Anne did the same quietly, and quietly invited him in. "I walked over to see Dr. Lewis, and to ask whether the house requires anything else done to it," he explained. "And I had to come early, as I am leaving the neighbourhood this afternoon." "Oh, thank you," said Anne, "it is very kind of you to come. Will you please to sit down, sir?" hastily taking the books off a chair. "Papa is out, but I think he will not be long." "Are you satisfied with the house?" he asked. "Quite so, sir; and I do not think it wants anything done to it at all. I hope you will not suppose we shall keep it in this state," she added rather anxiously. "When things are being unpacked, the rooms are sure to look untidy." Sir Robert smiled. "You seem very notable, Miss Lewis." "Oh, I do everything," she answered, smiling back. "There is no one else." He had not taken the chair, but went out, saying he should probably meet Dr. Lewis--leaving a message for him, about the house, in case he did not. "He is your great and grand man of the neighbourhood, is he not, Johnny?" said Anne, as she knelt down on the carpet again. "Oh, he is grand enough." "Then don't you think he is, considering that fact, very pleasant and affable? I'm sure he is as simple and free in manners and speech as we are." "Most grand men--if they are truly great--are that. Your upstarts assume no end of airs." "I know who will never assume airs, Johnny. He has none in him." "Who's that?" "Yourself." It made me laugh. I had nothing to assume them for.