CHAPTER II

WhenCousinSticklesknockedatherdoor,Valancyknewitwashalf-pastsevenandshemustgetup.Aslongasshecouldremember,CousinStickleshadknockedatherdoorathalf-pastseven.CousinSticklesandMrs.FrederickStirlinghadbeenupsinceseven,butValancywasallowedtolieabedhalfanhourlongerbecauseofafamilytraditionthatshewasdelicate.Valancygotup,thoughshehatedgettingupmorethismorningthanevershehadbefore.Whatwastheretogetupfor?Anotherdrearydaylikeallthedaysthathadprecededit,fullofmeaninglesslittletasks,joylessandunimportant,thatbenefitednobody.Butifshedidnotgetupatonceshewouldnotbereadyforbreakfastateighto’clock.HardandfasttimesformealsweretheruleinMrs.Stirling’shousehold.Breakfastateight,dinneratone,supperatsix,yearinandyearout.Noexcusesforbeinglatewereevertolerated.SoupValancygot,shivering. Theroomwasbitterlycoldwiththeraw,penetratingchillofawetMaymorning.Thehousewouldbecoldallday.ItwasoneofMrs.Frederick’srulesthatnofireswerenecessaryafterthetwenty-fourthofMay.Mealswerecookedonthelittleoil-stoveinthebackporch.AndthoughMaymightbeicyandOctoberfrost-bitten,nofireswerelighteduntilthetwenty-firstofOctoberbythecalendar.Onthetwenty-firstofOctoberMrs.Frederickbegancookingoverthekitchenrangeandlightedafireinthesitting-roomstoveintheevenings.ItwaswhisperedaboutintheconnectionthatthelateFrederickStirlinghadcaughtthecoldwhichresultedinhisdeathduringValancy’sfirstyearoflifebecauseMrs.FrederickwouldnothaveafireonthetwentiethofOctober.Shelighteditthenextday—butthatwasadaytoolateforFrederickStirling. Valancytookoffandhungupintheclosethernightdressofcoarse,unbleachedcotton,withhighneckandlong,tightsleeves.Sheputonundergarmentsofasimilarnature,adressofbrowngingham,thick,blackstockingsandrubber-heeledboots.Oflateyearsshehadfallenintothehabitofdoingherhairwiththes