HARRY. Why has it stood empty so long?
MRS. OTERY. It’s—far from a town.
HARRY. What made the last tenant leave in such a hurry?
MRS. OTERY (wetting her lips). You have heard that, have you? Gossiping in the village, I suppose?
HARRY. I have heard some other things as well. I have heard they had to get a caretaker from a distance, because no woman hereabout would live alone in this house.
MRS. OTERY. A pack o’ cowards.
HARRY. I have heard that that caretaker was bold and buxom when she came, and that now she is a scared woman.
MRS. OTERY. I’m not.
HARRY. I have heard she’s been known to run out into the fields and stay there trembling half the night.
(She does not answer, and he resorts to cunning again.)