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           Theroomwasausterelyfurnished,liketherestofthehouse,butitlookedoutontheonlysideofthehousewheretheviewwasunimpededbysomesortofwind-break,andsharedthesamestretchofverandaasthelivingroom,whichseemedverybaretoMeggiewithitscanefurnitureandlackoffabric.

           "It’sjusttoohotuphereforvelvetorchintz,"Anneexplained."Welivewithwicker,andaslittleonourselvesasdecencyallows.I’llhavetoeducateyou,oryou’lldie.You’rehopelesslyoverclothed."

           Sheherselfwasinasleeveless,low-neckedvestandapairofshortshorts,outofwhichherpoortwistedlegspokeddoddering.InnotimeatallMeggiefoundherselfsimilarlyclad,loanedfromAnneuntilLukecouldbepersuadedtobuyhernewclothes.Itwashumiliatingtohavetoexplainthatshewasallowednomoney,butatleasthavingtoendurethisattenuatedherembarrassmentoverwearingsolittle.

           "Well,youcertainlydecoratemyshortsbetterthanIdo,"saidAnne.Shewentonwithherbreezylecture."Luddiewillbringyoufirewood;you’renottocutyourownordragitupthesteps.IwishwehadelectricityliketheplacescloserintoDunny,butthegovernmentisslowerthanawetweek.MaybenextyearthelinewillreachasfarasHimmelhoch,butuntilthenit’stheawfuloldfuelstove,I’mafraid.Butyouwait,Meggie!Theminutetheygiveuspowerwe’llhaveanelectricstove,electriclightsandarefrigerator."

           "I’musedtodoingwithoutthem."

           "Yes,butwhereyoucomefromtheheatisdry.