Mr.
Woodstock's companion, after taking one glance, drew hastily back.
"Looks like small-pox," he said, in an alarmed voice. "I wouldn't
stand so near, sir, if I was you."
"Isn't there any one to look to her?" said Abraham. Then turning to
one of the children, "Where's your father?" he asked.
"Dono," was the little fellow's indifferent reply.
"Are you alone?"
"Dono."
They went down to the floor below, and there found a woman standing
at her door.
"What's the matter with her up there?" asked Mr. Woodstock.
"She's very bad, sir. Her Susan's gone to get a order for the parish
doctor, I b'lieve. I was just a-goin' to look after the children
when you came up. I've only just come 'ome myself, you see."
"What's that horrible stench down below?"
"I didn't notice nothink, sir," said the woman, looking over the
banisters as if the odour might be seen.
"Any one living in the kitchen?"
"There _was_ some one, I b'lieve, sir, but I don't exac'ly know if
they's there yet."
Presently they reached the region below. In absolute darkness they
descended steps which were covered with a sort of slime, and then,
by striking a light, found themselves in front of a closed door.
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