He arrived at the end of March, on Good Friday, after the thaw

had set in. It was pouring with rain so that he had not a dry

thread on him and was feeling very cold, but yet vigorous and

full of spirits, as always at that time. "Is she still with

them?" he thought, as he drove into the familiar, old-fashioned

courtyard, surrounded by a low brick wall, and now filled with

He expected she would come out when she heard the sledge bells

but she did not. Two bare-footed women with pails and tucked-up