There is no face so inscrutable as a clever old woman's when she is on her guard.

And her fat body barred the entrance; I could not so much as see inside, while the window, choked full with pigs' trotters and such-like dainties, helped me very little.

If the fox were there, he had got to earth and I could not dig him out.
At this moment I saw James approaching hurriedly.

He was looking up the street, no doubt seeking my carriage and chafing at its delay.

An instant later he saw me.
"My lord," he said, "your train will be ready in five minutes; if it doesn't start then, the line must be closed for another half-hour." I perceived a faint smile on the old woman's face.