Do you mind if I dance a little, to move the air about ?" "We shall be delighted," said Miss Ford indulgently.

"Shall I play for you ?" The witch did not answer; she rose, and as she rose she threw a little white paper packet into the fire.

She danced round the sofa and the chairs.

The floor shook a little, and all her watchers twisted their necks gravely, like lizards watching an active fly.
The parlour-maid, by appearing in the doorway with an inaudible announcement, diverted their attention, though she did not interrupt the witch's exercises.
A very respectable-looking man came in.

Darnby Frere, who was a student of Henry James's works, and therefore constantly made elaborate guesses on matters that did not concern him, and then forgot them because--unlike Mr.James's guesses--they were always wrong, gave the newcomer credit for being perhaps a shopwalker, or perhaps a South-Eastern and Chatham ticket-collector, but surely a chapel-goer.
At any rate the stranger looked ill at ease, and especially disconcerted by the sight of the dancing witch.
Miss Ford realised by now that her Wednesday had for some reason gone mad.