One of the next to come up was old Matthew Frost.

Mr.Verner took his hand.
"Come in to my own room, Matthew," he said.

"I feel for you deeply." "Nay, sir; I must look upon her." Mr.Verner pointed with his stick in the direction of the laundry.
"They are shut in there--the doctor and those whom he requires round him," he said.

"Let them be undisturbed; it is the only chance." All things likely to be wanted had been conveyed to the laundry; and they were shut in there, as Mr.Verner expressed it, with their fires and their heat.

On dragged the time.