'I should like to see the back part again,' Egremont replied.
She led them across the schoolroom, through the dark passage, and into a small room which had the distant semblance of a parlour. Here she lit a lamp; then, without speaking, guided them over the house, of which she appeared to be the only inhabitant. There were seven rooms; only three of them contained any furniture. Then they all returned to the comfortless parlour.
'Your chest is bad,' Egremont remarked, looking curiously at the woman.
'Yes, I dessay it is,' was the ungracious reply.
'Well, I don't think we need trouble you any more at present, but I shall probably have to come again in a day or two.'
'I dessay you'll find me here.'
'And feeling better, I hope. The weather gives you much trouble, no doubt.'
He held half a crown to her. She regarded it, clasped it in the hand which was against her bosom, and at length dropped a curtsy, though without speaking.
'What a poor crabbed old creature!' Egremont exclaimed, as they walked away. 'I should feel relieved if I knew that she went off at once to the warmth of the public-house opposite.'
'Yes, she hasn't a very cheerful home.'