It was broad noon ere Maddy awoke, and, starting up, she looked about her in bewilderment, wondering where she was and what agency had been at work in her room, transforming it from the cold, comfortless apartment she had entered the previous night, into the cheery-looking chamber, with a warm fire blazing in the tiny fire-place, a rug spread down upon the hearth, a rocking-chair drawn up before it, and all traces of the little hired girl as completely obliterated as if she had never been. During her grandmother’s illness, Maddy’s room had been left to the care of the hired girl, Nettie, and it wore a neglected, rude aspect, which had grated on Maddy’s finer feelings, and made everything so uninviting. But this morning all was changed. Some skillful hand had been busy there while she slept, and Maddy was wondering who it could be, when the door opened cautiously and _Flora’s_ good-humored face looked in—Flora from Aikenside. Maddy knew now to whom she was indebted for all this comfort, and with a cry of joy she welcomed the girl, whose very presence brought back something of the life with which she had parted forever. “Flora,” she exclaimed, “how came you here, and did you make this fire, and arrange the room for me?” “Yes, I made the fire,” Flora replied, “and fixed up the things a little, hustlin’ that young one’s goods out of here; because it was not fit for you to be sleeping with her. Mr. Remington was angry enough when he found it out.” “Mr. Remington, Flora? How should he know of our sleeping arrangements?” Maddy asked, but Flora evaded a direct reply, saying, “There were enough ways for things to get to Aikenside;” then continuing, “How tired you must be, Miss Maddy, to sleep so sound as never to hear me at all, though to be sure I tried to be still as a mouse. But let me help you dress. It’s nearly noon, and you must be hungry. I’ve got your breakfast all ready.” “Thank you, Flora, I can dress myself,” Maddy said, stepping out upon the floor, and feeling that the world was not so dark as it had seemed to her when last night she came up to her chamber. God was comforting her already, and as she made her simple toilet, she tried to thank Him for His goodness, and ask for grace to make her what she ought to be. “You have not yet told me why you came here,” she said to Flora, who was busy making her bed; and who replied, “It’s Mr. Remington’s work. He thought I’d better come, as you would need help to get things set to rights, so you could go back to school.” Maddy felt her heart coming up in her throat, but she answered calmly, “Mr. Remington is very kind—so are you all; but, Flora, I am not going back to school.” “Not going back!” and Flora stopped her bed making, while she stared blankly at Maddy. “What are you going to do?” “Stay here and take care of grandpa,” Maddy aid, bathing her face and neck in the cold water, which could not cool the feverish heat she felt spreading all over them.