Shereddenedsointenselyastopassthemildblushthatsufficestoheightenbeauty；sheputtheyellowleathergloveononehand，tookupthehookwiththeother，andsatdowndoggedlytoherworkwithoutturningherfacetohimagain。Heregardedherheadforamoment，wenttothedoor，andwithonelookbackather，departedonhiswayhomeward。
Martypursuedheroccupationforafewminutes，thensuddenlylayingdownthebill-hook，shejumpedupandwenttothebackoftheroom，wheresheopenedadoorwhichdisclosedastaircasesowhitelyscrubbedthatthegrainofthewoodwaswellnighsoddenawaybysuchcleansing。Atthetopshegentlyapproachedabedroom，andwithoutentering，said，“Father，doyouwantanything？”
Aweakvoiceinsideansweredinthenegative；adding，“Ishouldbeallrightbyto-morrowifitwerenotforthetree！”
“Thetreeagain——alwaysthetree！Oh，father，don’tworrysoaboutthat。Youknowitcandoyounoharm。”
“Whohaveyehadtalkingtoyedown-stairs？”