He walked up and down rapidly twice, and then he crossed the road and rang the bell; the taxi was still at the door.

It was opened almost immediately by the little, dirty maid--very dirty in the early morning like this.
He controlled his voice and asked politely to be taken to the lady who had just gone in.

With a snivel of tears Jenny asked him to follow her, and, while she was mounting in front of him, she turned and said: "It ain't no good, doctor, I ken tell yer; my mother was took just like that, and after she'd once broke the vessel she didn't live a hour." And by this time they had reached the attic door which, without knocking Jenny opened a little, and, with another snivel, announced, "The doctor, missis." And Tristram entered the room..