She laughed a little nervously.
"I'm no ghost, Mr.Ducaine," she said, "and I shan't bite!" "Forgive me," I answered.

"I was hard at work and your knock startled me.

Please come in." I ushered her into my sitting-room.

She was wearing what I recognized as her best clothes, and not being entirely at her ease she talked loudly and rapidly.
"Such a stranger as you are, Mr.Ducaine," she exclaimed.

"Fancy, it's getting on for a month since we any of us saw a sign of you, and I'm sure never a week used to pass but father'd be looking for you to drop in.