Thyrza, leaving the work-room at half-past one, did not take the direct way to Walnut Tree Walk; the sun and the keen air filled her with a spirit of glad life, and a thought that it would be nice to see how her future home looked under the bright sky came to her temptingly.

The distance was not great; she soon came to Brook Street and, with some timidity, turned up the narrow passage, meaning to get a glimpse of the house and run away again.

But just as she reached the entrance to the rear-yard, she found herself face to face with someone whom she at once knew for the caretaker whom Gilbert had described to her.

The old woman's eye held her.

She was half frightened, yet in a moment found words.
'Please,' she said--it seemed to her the only way of explaining her intrusion--'is there any one in the school now ?' The old woman examined her, coldly, searchingly.
'No, there ain't,' she replied.