Her manner was at first frank and agreeable, but as our interview lasted it changed to a fitful moroseness, which was difficult to deal with. Both in person and in manner Mrs. Thompson may be said to be decidedly prepossessing—what may be called a taking woman.
She is manifestly a fairly well-educated woman, and writes a pretty, ladylike Italian hand. The statement she made to me in answer to questions and in course of conversation was as follows:—
MRS. THOMPSON’S PERSONAL HISTORY.
My maiden name is Susan Gray, and I was born in the year 1842, at Nottingham. My parents are very respectable people, and carry on a small business in that town. I am heartily sorry to have brought this disgrace upon them.
In my childhood I went to various schools in Nottingham—to the Trinity School when I was a youngster, when I was also picked out as a singer in the choir.
I continued to attend the Trinity Schools until I was eight or nine years of age, when my parents removed me to the College School.
There I remained until I was fourteen, when I went out to work.
I should not like to state where I was employed, as it might give pain to persons living, but there are those alive who know that this statement is true.
After I left my first situation I stayed at home and assisted my father in his business as his bookkeeper.
When I was about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, a Mr. Bailey one day came for purposes of business to my father’s house.