She sat thus for a quarter of an hour, when there came a tap at the door.
Her landlady entered.
'Oh, I thought, Miss Hood,' she began, 'you'd maybe rung the bell as usual, and I hadn't heard it.

I do sometimes think I'm getting a little hard of hearing; my husband tell me of it.

Will you have the tea made ?' 'Thank you, Mrs.Willis,' Emily replied, rising.
She opened a low cupboard beside the fireplace, took out a tea-pot, and put some tea into it.
'You'd have a long walk, I suppose,' continued the woman, 'and delightful weather for it, too.

But you must mind as you don't over-tire yourself.

You don't look very strong, if I may say it.' 'Oh, I am very well,' was the mechanical reply.
After a few more remarks the landlady took away the teapot.