But they learned to know, from the lodge-keeper, when Mrs Crich was away, and they timed their visits. How many times, in the first years, would Crowther knock softly at the door: ‘Person to see you, sir.’

‘What name?’

‘Grocock, sir.’

‘What do they want?’ The question was half impatient, half gratified. He liked hearing appeals to his charity.

‘About a child, sir.’

‘Show them into the library, and tell them they shouldn’t come after eleven o’clock in the morning.’

‘Why do you get up from dinner? — send them off,’ his wife would say abruptly.