When the old gentleman had said all he had to say in the way of promise and advice, and Kit had said all he had to say in the way of assurance and thankfulness, he was handed over again to the old lady, who, summoning the little servant-girl (whose name was Barbara) instructed her to take him down stairs and give him something to eat and drink, after his walk.
Down stairs, therefore, Kit went; and at the bottom of the stairs there was such a kitchen as was never before seen or heard of out of a toy-shop window, with everything in it as bright and glowing, and as precisely ordered too, as Barbara herself.
It did not appear, however, that there was anything remarkably tremendous about this strange Barbara, who having lived a very quiet life, blushed very much and was quite as embarrassed and uncertain what she ought to say or do, as Kit could possibly be.
MY DEAREST BARBARA ALEXIEVNA,--How happy I was last night--how immeasurably, how impossibly happy!
But what think you of the plan of the curtain, Barbara? It is a charming one, is it not?
Ah, little Barbara, little Barbara, you must never give way to grief, for tears are of no avail, nor sorrow.
But what sort of an abode have I lighted upon, Barbara Alexievna?
We had occasionally considered the giving of Bailey's place to some other child of the Gardens, divers of David's year having sought election, even with bribes; but Barbara was new to me.
Look at it how one may, this Barbara idea is undoubtedly a bad business.
If they could come into the open they would not be a book, they would be little Barbara.
With 100 miles of shoreline, 220 vineyards, several major attractions and points of interest - including Channel Islands National Park - and a thriving entertainment and dining scene, Santa
Barbara has something for everyone and has been recognized as a top getaway by travel and lifestyle publications.