On leaving his master's room Thalassa went swiftly downstairs and disappeared into some remote back region of the lonely old house.

He had other duties to perform before his day's work was finished.

There was wood to be chopped, coal to be brought in, water to be drawn.

Nearly an hour elapsed before he reappeared, candle in hand, and entered the kitchen.
A little woman with a furtive face, sharp nose, and blinking eyes was seated at one end of the kitchen table with playing-cards spread out in front of her.

She looked up at the sound of the opening door, and fear crept into her eyes.