Still the irresistible desire which had made me enter the building urged me: I must open that door, and see what was beyond it.
I approached, and laid my hand on the rude latch.

Then the woman spoke, but without lifting her head or looking at me: "You had better not open that door." This was uttered quite quietly; and she went on with her reading, partly in silence, partly aloud; but both modes seemed equally intended for herself alone.

The prohibition, however, only increased my desire to see; and as she took no further notice, I gently opened the door to its full width, and looked in.

At first, I saw nothing worthy of attention.

It seemed a common closet, with shelves on each hand, on which stood various little necessaries for the humble uses of a cottage.
In one corner stood one or two brooms, in another a hatchet and other common tools; showing that it was in use every hour of the day for household purposes.