Hannah had not an idea what a hansom meant; she had never visited London since her early days.

She stared with horror at the proposed vehicle, and finally selecting the creakiest and most uninviting of the four-wheelers, drove off to her destination.
Mrs.Ellsworthy was enjoying some very fragrant tea in her little boudoir when a servant announced that a person of the name of Martin had come up from the country in a four-wheeler, and would be glad to see her as soon as possible.
"What kind of person, Henry ?" asked the little lady.

"I am very tired just now, and I must go out to dinner in less than two hours.

A person from the country in a four-wheeler?
What can she want with me ?" "She seems a respectable sort of body, ma'am," answered the footman, "but nervous and shaky, and mortal afraid to step out of the cab; the cabby and me we had both to lend her a hand in alighting, ma'am.

She's sitting now in a chair in the hall, and I can see she's upset with her journey, but _respectable_; there's no word for the neatness of her person, ma'am." "She is probably poor, and wants me to help her," replied Mrs.
Ellsworthy.