"Is Mrs. Stepaside in?" asked Mary.
"Ay, she is."
"I would like to see her, if I may."
"Who might you be?"
"If you will take me to her I will tell her who I am."
The woman looked at her suspiciously.
"Has it got anything to do with the murder?" she said; and then added: "Nay, the likes of you can have nowt to do with that!"
"Will you please take me to her?" said Mary.
"I don't know. She's noan so well this morning. Last night I left her i' th' house alone. Me and my old man went over to Crumpsall to see our lass. She said as 'ow she didn't mind being left alone, and so we were away several hours. But I was sorry afterwards that we went, for she was in a fair way when we come back. She looked just like a corpse. You see, she's brooding over her son. Ay, but it's a terrible business!"
"Will you please tell her a young lady wishes to see her?" urged Mary.