The boy obeyed, coming out into the hall, with a hand still holding the knob.
"The lady wanted me to let her in, but I wouldn't do it, Mamsy," he said.
Madam Grant turned her eyes upon the apologetic, cringing figure, whose thin, skinny fingers plucked at her shawl.
"I just called neighborly like, thinkin' maybe you'd give me a settin', Madam Grant," she said.
Madam Grant had come nearer, now, and stood gazing at her visitor. The expression of scorn had faded from her face, her eyes glazed. She spoke slowly in a deliberate monotone.
"Your name is Margaret Riley."
The woman nodded. Her lips had fallen open, and her eyes were fixed in awe.
"Who are the three men I see beside you?" demanded Madam Grant.
"They was only two! I swear to God they was only two!"
"There is a little child, too."