better for me, and not the worse for anyone. If I am a plaything for you giants, be gentle with me.’

Miss Mowcher replaced her handkerchief in her pocket, looking at me with very intent expression all the while, and pursued:

‘I saw you in the street just now.

You may suppose I am not able to walk as fast as you, with my short legs and short breath, and I couldn’t overtake you; but I guessed where you came, and came after you. I have been here before, today, but the good woman wasn’t at home.’

‘Do you know her?’ I demanded.

‘I know of her, and about her,’ she replied, ‘from Omer and Joram. I was there at seven o’clock this morning.