It was a long way back to the little farm-house, and when at lastthe three weary pilgrims reached it, they were met by anindignant chorus of protests from all the creatures which hadbeen left behind. Bel was lowing at the pasture bars, the pig wassquealing angrily inside her pen, the rooster had crowed himselfhoarse, and Fidel, patient Fidel, was sitting on guard at theback door.

Mother Van Hove flew into the kitchen the moment she reached thehouse, and in two minutes Jan and Marie were seated before abreakfast of cheese and milk. Then she fed the pig, let out thehens, and gave Fidel a bone which she had saved for him from thesoup. Last of all, she milked the cow, and when this was done,and she had had a cup of coffee herself, the clock in the steeplestruck twelve.