They rang the bell and waited, and nobody came.
"Did you ring the bell ?" asked Mrs.Van Dorn, anxiously.
"I thought I did.

I pressed the button very hard." "I didn't hear it.

I think you had better ring again." Mrs.Lee obediently pressed the bell again, and then both ladies heard distinctly the far-away tinkle in the depths of the house.
"I heard that," said Mrs.Lee.
"Yes, so did I.It rang that time." Then the ladies waited again.
"Suppose you ring again," said Mrs.Van Dorn, and Mrs.Lee rang again.

Then they waited again, straining their ears for the slightest sound in the house.
"I am afraid they are out," said Mrs.Van Dorn.
"So am I.It is such a lovely afternoon." Mrs.Van Dorn, after they had waited a short time, put out her hand with a decisive motion, and rang the bell yet again.
"I'm going to make sure they are not at home," said she, "for I don't know when I shall get out calling again, and I always feel as if it was my duty to call on new-comers in the village pretty soon after they move in." Then they waited again, but no one came.

Once Mrs.Lee started and said she was sure she heard some one coming, but it was only the rumble of a train at a station two miles away.
"Shall we leave our cards ?" said Mrs.Lee.