CHAPTER II
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中
大
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,nofires
