I can bear him to say things to me that I would knock any other fellow down for saying.

That is why I let him preach to me, because he honestly believes what he says and tries to act up to his profession.' He broke off here, for by this time we had reached Woodbine Cottage, and he unlatched the gate for me.
A thin-faced child with a cropped head and clean white pinafore opened the door, and dropped an alarmed courtesy when she saw us.
'Please sir, Aunt Susan is out, and Aunt Phoebe is very bad this afternoon, and cannot see any one.

She is lying in the dark, and I was to let none of the neighbours in while Aunt Susan was away.' 'All right, Kitty; but Aunt Phoebe will see me.' And he walked into the passage, and told the child to close the door gently.

The room we passed was strewn with work-material, and looked cold and comfortless, but a small kitchen opposite had a warm cosy aspect.

Mr.Hamilton passed both rooms and tapped at a door lower down the passage, and then without waiting for an answer entered, and beckoned me to follow him.
A dark curtain had been drawn across the window, and the dim glow of a cindery fire scarcely gave sufficient light to discern the different pieces of furniture.