About five o'clock, when Lydia was making tea, Mrs.Jarmey came with a message.

She said Mr.Boddy had sent word that he wished to see Lydia particularly; he begged she would come during the evening.
'Who brought the message ?' Lydia asked, going outside the door to speak with the landlady.
'A little boy,' was the answer.

'I never see him before, as I know.' Lydia was disturbed.

It might only mean that the old man was anxious at not having seen her for five or six days, or that he was ill; but the fact of his living in the Bowers' house suggested another explanation.
An answer was required; she sent back word that she would come.
'I shan't be more than half an hour away at the very longest,' she said, when she reluctantly prepared to go out after tea.

'Wouldn't you like to go downstairs just for that time, dear ?' 'No, Lyddy, I'll stay.' Thyrza had left her chair, and stood with her hand resting on the mantel-piece.