It will be cool then." She dreaded the thought of sitting alone with Harriet.

But the latter said she must get home early, and would only have time to sit for half an hour.

When Ida had lit her fire, and put the kettle on, she found that the milk which she had kept since the morning for Grim and herself had gone sour; so she had to run out to a dairy to fetch some.
"You won't mind being left alone for a minute ?" she said.
"Oh, no; I'll amuse myself with Grim." As soon as she was alone, Harriet went into the bed-room, and began to examine everything.

Grim had followed her, and came up to rub affectionately against her feet, but she kicked him, muttering, "Get off; you black beast!" Having scrutinised the articles which lay about, she quickly searched the pockets of a dress which hung on the door, but found nothing except a handkerchief.

All the time she listened for any footfall on the stone steps without.