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Updated: June 3, 2025
Ellmother's confidence, and that she might have reasons of her own for assuming ignorance when awkward questions were asked. For the moment at least, Francine decided on keeping her suspicions to herself. "I may perhaps offer you the employment you want," she said to Mrs. Ellmother.
A momentary impulse inspired him with a false courage, and brought a flush into his ghastly face. He turned to Emily. "May I speak to you?" he asked. She started back from him. He looked at Mrs. Ellmother. "Tell her I am innocent," he said. The trembling seized on him again. Mr. Rook was obliged to lift him into the carriage. Emily caught at Mrs. Ellmother's arm. "You go with him," she said.
As he returned to the place that he had left, the silence was broken by the chimes of the distant church clock, striking the three-quarters past ten. Even that familiar sound jarred on Mrs. Ellmother's shattered nerves. In her state of mind and body, she was evidently at the mercy of any false alarm which might be raised by her own fears.
This explained the concealment of Miss Letitia's illness from her niece, as well as the reiterated efforts of the old servant to prevent Emily from entering the bedroom. But the event which had just happened that is to say, Mrs. Ellmother's sudden departure from the cottage was not only of serious importance in itself, but pointed to a startling conclusion.
It might be worth while to conciliate the old woman by a little act of attention. Turning to Emily, Francine pointed to the card lying on the table. "You have not attended yet to Mr. Ellmother's request," she said. Emily at once assured Mrs. Ellmother that the request was granted. "But is it wise," she asked, "to go out to service again, at your age?"
Mrs. Ellmother's face brightened. "That's kindly thought of, sir if you don't mind the trouble." "My good lady, nothing is a trouble in your young mistress's service. Give me the doctor's name and address and tell me what to say to him." "There's one thing you must be careful of," Mrs. Ellmother answered. "He mustn't come here, as if he had been sent for she would refuse to see him."
Ellmother's object was to ask how her mistress was going on," the doctor proceeded. "Every day while Miss Letitia still lived, she came here to make the same inquiry without a word of explanation. On the day of the funeral, there she was at the church, dressed in deep mourning; and, as I can personally testify, crying bitterly.
Miss Ladd interposed. "It is I who wish to speak to you, Mrs. Ellmother. For some days past, I have been sorry to see you looking ill." "I never was ill in my life, ma'am." Miss Ladd gently persisted. "I hear that you have lost your appetite." "I never was a great eater, ma'am." It was evidently useless to risk any further allusion to Mrs. Ellmother's symptoms.
"Was your next place in service with Miss Emily's aunt?" "Yes." "Did the old lady always live in London?" "No." "What part of the country did she live in?" "Kent." "Among the hop gardens?" "No." "In what other part, then?" "Isle of Thanet." "Near the sea coast?" "Yes." Even Francine could insist no longer: Mrs. Ellmother's reserve had beaten her for that day at least.
Do you know where he lives?" "He is staying with his sister Mrs. Delvin." "Mrs. Delvin! she's a friend and patient of mine. Say I'll look in to-morrow morning, and see what I can do for her brother. In the meantime, get him to bed, and to rest; and don't be afraid of giving him brandy." The doctor returned to the bedroom. Emily heard Mrs. Ellmother's voice below. "Are you up there, miss?" "Yes."
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