“Is there anything I can do for you, miss?”
The person making this polite inquiry appeared at the foot of the stairs—a plump and comely woman of middle age. She looked up at the young lady with a pleasant smile.
“I beg your pardon,” Emily said; “I had no intention of disturbing you. I called to Mrs. Ellmother.”
The stranger advanced a little way up the stairs, and answered, “Mrs. Ellmother is not here.”
“Do you expect her back soon?”
“Excuse me, miss—I don’t expect her back at all.”
“Do you mean to say that she has left the house?”
“Yes, miss. She has left the house.”