Next morning, while I was dressing, a most remarkable thing occurred; a
thing for which I was in no wise prepared. Spirits, and sights and
sounds supposed appropriate to spirithood, I had expected; but for a
modest knock at the front door I was not prepared.
When, after hurriedly completing my toilet, I undrew the bolts and undid
the chain, and opened the door wide, there came rushing into the house a
keen easterly wind, behind which I beheld a sad-faced woman, dressed in
black, who dropped me a curtsey, and said:
"If you please, sir--I suppose you are the gentleman?"
Now, I could make nothing out of this, so I asked her to be good enough
to explain.
Then it all came out: "Did I want a person to char?"
This was remarkable--very. Her question amazed me to such an extent that
I had to ask her in, and request her to seat herself on one of the hall
chairs, and go upstairs myself, and think the matter over before I
answered her.
It had been so impressed upon me that no one in the neighbourhood would
come near River Hall, that I should as soon have thought of Victoria by
the grace of God paying me a friendly visit, as of being waited on by a
charwoman.
I went downstairs again.
At sight of me my new acquaintance rose from her seat, and began curling
up the corner of her apron.
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