" Then he
went away, and Robert with him, to the house of the Home Secretary.
It was three o'clock. Five hours still!
I sat staring at the sprawling paper on the walls, and at the long snuff
of the candle that Dr. Penn had lighted, and at a framed piece of
embroidery, representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac, that hung upon the
wall. Were there no succouring angels now?
The door opened, and I looked wearily round. A motherly woman, with
black eyes, fat cheeks, and a fat wedding-ring, stood curtseying at the
door. I said, "I think you are Dr. Penn's landlady? He says you are very
good. Pray come in."
Then I dropped my head on my hand again, and stared vacantly as before.
Exhaustion had almost become stupor, and it was in a sort of dream that
I watched the stout figure moving softly to and fro, lighting the fire,
and bringing an air of comfort over the dreary little parlour. Then she
was gone for a little bit, and I felt a little more lonely and weary;
and then I heard that cheerful clatter, commonly so grateful to
feminine exhaustion, and the good woman entered with a toasted glow upon
her face, bearing a tray with tea, and such hospitable accompaniments as
she could command. She set them down and came up to me with an air of
determination.
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