“Shan’t I unpack your box for you now, ma’m?” And, without waiting for a reply, she took out Cassandra’s clothing, pausing now and then to admire and pet the lovely boy. Her simple friendliness pleased Cassandra, who was minded to ask some of the questions which were burdening her.

“When do people make visits here, in the morning or afternoon?”

“That depends, ma’m.”

“How do you mean? I’m a stranger in England, you know.”

“Yes, ma’m. If they make polite visits, they go about tea time, ma’m. But if it’s parish visits, or on business, or on people they know very well, they may go in the morning, ma’m.”