OnedayatthebeginningofJuly，Icamehomefrommowingaboutnoon，oralittlelater，tofetchsomeciderforallofus，andtoeatamorselofbacon。Formowingwasnojokethatyear，thesummerbeingwonderfullywetevenforourwetcountry，andtheswathefallingheavieroverthescythethaneverIcouldrememberit。Weweredrenchedwithrainalmosteveryday；butthemowingmustbedonesomehow；andwemusttrusttoGodforthehaymaking。
InthecourtyardIsawalittlecart，withironbrakesunderneathit，suchasfastidiouspeopleusetodeadenthejoltingoftheroad；butfewmenunderalordorbaronetwouldbesoparticular。ThereforeIwonderedwhoournoblevisitorcouldbe。ButwhenIenteredthekitchen-place，brushingupmyhairforsomebody，beholditwasnoonegreaterthanourAnnie，withmygodsoninherarms，andlookingpaleandtear-begone。Andatfirstshecouldnotspeaktome。Butpresentlyhavingsatdownalittle，andreceivedmuchpraiseforherbaby，shesmiledandblushed，andfoundhertongueasifshehadnevergonefromus。
’Hownaturalitalllooksagain!Oh，Ilovethisoldkitchenso!Babydear，onlylookatitwidhimpitty，pittyeyes，andhimtongueoutofhismousy!Butwhoputtheflour-riddleupthere。Andlookatthepestleandmortar，andrustIdeclareinthepattypans!Andabook，positivelyadirtybook，wherethecleanskewersoughttohang!Oh，Lizzie，Lizzie，Lizzie!’
’Youmayjustaswellceaselamenting，’Isaid，’foryoucan’talterLizzie’snature，andyouwillonlymakemotheruncomfortable，andperhapshaveaquarrelwithLizzie，whoisproudasPunchofherhousekeeping。’
’She，’criedAnnie，withallthecontemptthatcouldbecompressedinasyllable。’Well，John，nodoubtyouarerightaboutit。Iwilltrynottonoticethings。