On entering the shop, Miss Murray desired me to stand in the doorway while she transacted her business, and tell her if anyone passed.

But alas! there was no one visible besides the villagers, except Jane and Susan Green coming down the single street, apparently returning from a walk.
'Stupid things!' muttered she, as she came out after having concluded her bargain.

'Why couldn't they have their dolt of a brother with them?
even he would be better than nothing.' She greeted them, however, with a cheerful smile, and protestations of pleasure at the happy meeting equal to their own.

They placed themselves one on each side of her, and all three walked away chatting and laughing as young ladies do when they get together, if they be but on tolerably intimate terms.

But I, feeling myself to be one too many, left them to their merriment and lagged behind, as usual on such occasions: I had no relish for walking beside Miss Green or Miss Susan like one deaf and dumb, who could neither speak nor be spoken to.
But this time I was not long alone.