"Mrs.Robertson Redmond." She had never heard of her.
Burning with curiosity, she tried to imagine what possible motive the stranger had for calling.

It was unpardonable that a mere school-girl should keep a lady waiting so long; a lady in mourning, too, who since she could not be making social calls, must have a very important reason for coming.

Fidgeting with impatience she bent over the kettle, testing the hot liquid once more by dropping a spoonful into a cup of cold water.

Still it refused to harden.

Finally with a despairing sigh she slipped off her apron and turned down the gas so low that only a thin blue circle of flame flickered under the kettle.