They seemed to stop a few doors away, then to roll on again past the house.

The girl's head was raised; the old woman, engrossed in her stewing, took no heed.
The girl's straining ear caught a rapid step outside.

Then it came--the knock, the sharp knock followed by five light ones.

The old woman heard now: dropping her spoon into the pot, she lifted the mess off the fire and turned round, saying: "There's the rogue at last! Open the door for him, Rosa." Before she spoke Rosa had darted down the passage.

The door opened and shut again.