Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/68

 gravel, a shawl tied over her cap, and with a black mittened hand, holding a blue cotton umbrella, presented herself.

She began the set speech which she had been composing ever since she took her resolution of offering shelter to the Pleasance ladies. "I heard accidentally through my cook," (Blanche pinched Aunt Sarah,) "that your kitchen was on fire, and I came to ask if your Ladyship would not take shelter in my parlour. But, good gracious me!" she exclaimed, in her natural manner, as she furled her umbrella and entered the arbour, "what a place for you ladies to be in! why it's all of a slop, and dripping so. There! there's a great drop gone down my collar, Why, you'll catch your deaths. Do, for goodness sake, come into my house, Now, ma'am, take my arm—of course you've got your clogs on, and do wrap your shawl well round you."

"You are very kind," said Blanche, "but—"

"Very kind, indeed," interposed Aunt Sarah, "perhaps you will give Lady Chester