“And, can you tell me where they let out flys?”

“Lord, no—​not I. You won’t find any here about, I’m thinking.”

“Dear me, that’s unfortunate. No conveyance—​eh?”

“Will ee coom inside the house and see missus?” cried the girl, as if a sudden thought had struck her.

“Ah, that I will; shall be but too glad to do so. Where is the master?”

“There aint no master. He be dead and gone.”

“Oh, only a missus?”

“Ah, that be all, but she be a good sort.”

“I shall be most delighted to make her acquaintance.”

Laura Stanbridge was conducted into a primitive-looking parlour, and introduced to a comely, cheerful-looking old lady, the mistress of the establishment.