She said, "Are you the poor boy who had to bring the heavy load from market ?" And she looked at my boots, and said they would not keep my feet dry if it came on wet, because they were so cracked.

I told her I lived with my mother, and we had enough to do to keep ourselves, and that's how it was; and she said then, "I'll come and bring you some better boots, and see your mother." She gives away things to other folks in the meads besides us.' Mrs.Lodge was by this time close to the door--not in her silk, as Rhoda had seen her in the bed-chamber, but in a morning hat, and gown of common light material, which became her better than silk.

On her arm she carried a basket.
The impression remaining from the night's experience was still strong.
Brook had almost expected to see the wrinkles, the scorn, and the cruelty on her visitor's face.
She would have escaped an interview, had escape been possible.

There was, however, no backdoor to the cottage, and in an instant the boy had lifted the latch to Mrs.Lodge's gentle knock.
'I see I have come to the right house,' said she, glancing at the lad, and smiling.

'But I was not sure till you opened the door.' The figure and action were those of the phantom; but her voice was so indescribably sweet, her glance so winning, her smile so tender, so unlike that of Rhoda's midnight visitant, that the latter could hardly believe the evidence of her senses.