Chapter 5

           Oh,sheletmeknowassoonas,roundthecornerofthehouse,sheloomedagainintoview.“Whatinthenameofgoodnessisthematter—?”Shewasnowflushedandoutofbreath.

           Isaidnothingtillshecamequitenear.“Withme?”Imusthavemadeawonderfulface.“DoIshowit?”

           “You’reaswhiteasasheet.Youlookawful.”

           Iconsidered;Icouldmeetonthis,withoutscruple,anyinnocence.MyneedtorespectthebloomofMrs.Grose’shaddropped,withoutarustle,frommyshoulders,andifIwaveredfortheinstantitwasnotwithwhatIkeptback.Iputoutmyhandtoherandshetookit;Iheldherhardalittle,likingtofeelherclosetome.Therewasakindofsupportintheshyheaveofhersurprise.“Youcameformeforchurch,ofcourse,butIcan’tgo.”

           “Hasanythinghappened?”

           “Yes.Youmustknownow.DidIlookveryqueer?”

           “Throughthiswindow?Dreadful!”

           “Well,”Isaid,“I’vebeenfrightened.”Mrs.Grose’seyesexpressedplainlythatshehadnowishtobe,yetalsothatsheknewtoowellherplacenottobereadytosharewithmeanymarkedinconvenience.Oh,itwasquitesettledthatshemustshare!“Justwhatyousawfromthediningroomaminuteagowastheeffectofthat.WhatIsaw—justbefore—wasmuchworse.”

           Herhandtightened.“Whatwasit?”

           “Anextraordinaryman.Lookingin.”

           “Whatextraordinaryman?”

           “Ihaven’ttheleastidea.”

           Mrs.Grosegazedroundusinvain.“Thenwhereishegone?”

           “Iknowstillless.”

           “Haveyouseenhimbefore?”

           “Yes—once.