Inside, a porter in livery, at the first sight of the taxi, put down the newspaper he was reading, and hurried to the door.
'Is this Sir William Farrell's flat ?' asked Bridget.
'It's all right, Miss.

They're expecting you.

Sir William went off this morning.

I was to tell you he had to go down to Aldershot to-day on business, but he hoped to look in this evening, on his way to Euston, to see that you had everything comfortable.' Reluctantly, and with a feeble step, Nelly descended, helped by the porter.
'Oh, Bridget, I wish we hadn't come!' She breathed it into her sister's ear, as they stood together in the hall, waiting for the lift which had been called.

Bridget shut her lips tightly, and said nothing.
The lift carried them up to the third floor, and there at the top the ex-army cook and his wife were waiting, a pair of stout and comfortable people, all smiles and complaisance.