She went away, and for a time employed herself about her ordinary household work. Then she sat down alone in the dingy old dining-room, to think what had better be done in her present circumstances. The carpet of the room was worn out, as were also the covers of the old chairs and the horsehair sofa which was never moved from its accustomed place along the wall. It was not a comfortable Squire's residence, this old house at Vavasor. In the last twenty years no money had been spent on furniture or embellishments, and for the last ten years there had been no painting, either inside or out. Twenty years ago the Squire had been an embarrassed man, and had taken a turn in his life and had lived sparingly. It could not be said that he had become a miser. His table was kept plentifully, and there had never been want in his house. In some respects, too, he had behaved liberally to Kate and to others, and he had kept up the timber and fences on the property. But the house had become wretched in its dull, sombre, dirty darkness, and the gardens round it were as bad.

She went away, and sat down alone in the dingy old dining-room, to think what had better be done. The carpet of the room was worn out, as were the chair-covers and the horsehair sofa by the wall. It was not a comfortable house. In the last twenty years no money had been spent on furniture, and for the last ten years there had been no painting, either inside or out. The Squire was not a miser. In some respects, he had behaved generously to Kate and others, and he had kept up the timber and fences on the property. But the house had become wretched in its dirty, sombre darkness.
