“Could I desire a snugger one?” she answered gaily. “Here is both warmth and shelter; and a clean bed of husks; and if I am lonely, there be friendly little mice to bear me company o’ nights. And here my mice and I lie close and listen to the owls.”

“And you were reared in comfort!” I said with sudden bitterness.

She looked up quickly, then, shrugging her shoulders:

“There is still some comfort for those who can remember their brief day of ease — none for those who never knew it. I have had days of comfort.”

“What age are you, Lois?”

“Twenty, I think.”

“Scarce that!”