Put on
your slippers and dressing-gown. We do not need a candle. Now, Bertha,
we will go down together."
Two little white patches moved vaguely through the darkness, the stairs
creaked, the door whined, and they were at the front room window.
Monica closed it gently down, and fastened the snib.
"What a beautiful moon!" said she, looking out. "We can see as clearly
as if it were day. How peaceful and quiet the three houses are over
yonder! It seems quite sad to see that `To Let' card upon number one.
I wonder how number two will like their going. For my part I could
better spare that dreadful woman at number three with her short skirts
and her snake. But, oh, Bertha, look! look!! look!!!" Her voice had
fallen suddenly to a quivering whisper and she was pointing to the
Westmacotts' house. Her sister gave a gasp of horror, and stood with a
clutch at Monica's arm, staring in the same direction.
There was a light in the front room, a slight, wavering light such as
would be given by a small candle or taper. The blind was down, but the
light shone dimly through. Outside in the garden, with his figure
outlined against the luminous square, there stood a man, his back to the
road, his two hands upon the window ledge, and his body rather bent as
though he were trying to peep in past the blind.
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