Yet that day was just the exception that proves the rule.
Early in the afternoon a grand travelling motor drove up, and a lady and gentleman knocked at the door, and enquired for Dad.

I was a little wild rough thing then, and I was simply scared to death at the sight of strangers.

I told them Dad was away.

Then they asked if they might come in, and the gentleman said he was my grandfather, and the lady was his new wife, so that she was my step-grandmother.

Now Mrs.Barker had always rubbed it in to me that if I was left alone I must on no account admit strangers.