'
The servants had to obey her. And she would stand watching with an eye
like the eagle's, whilst the groom in clumsy confusion drove the
lugubrious persons down the drive, as if they were rusty fowls,
scuttling before him.
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.
'Oh, I can't do that. It's no trouble just to hear what they have to
say.'
'How many more have been here today? Why don't you establish open house
for them? They would soon oust me and the children.'
'You know dear, it doesn't hurt me to hear what they have to say.
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