It may be Mrs.Perkins come to borrow something." Mrs.Perkins was a neighbor much addicted to borrowing, which was rather disagreeable, but might have been more easily tolerated but that she seldom returned the articles lent.
Mrs.Barclay went to the door and opened it, fully expecting to see her borrowing neighbor.

A very different person met her view.

The ragged hat, the ill-looking face, the neglected attire, led her to recognize the tramp whom Ben had described to her as having attempted to rob him in the afternoon.

Terrified, Mrs.Barclay's first impulse was to shut the door and bolt it.

But her unwelcome visitor was too quick for her.