The morning had worn away in these inquiries, and I was sitting on the step of an empty shop at a street corner, near the marketplace, deliberating upon wandering towards those other places which had been mentioned, when a fly-driver, coming by with his carriage, dropped a horsecloth. Something good-natured in the man’s face, as I handed it up, encouraged me to ask him if he could tell me where Miss Trotwood lived; though I had asked the question so often, that it almost died upon my lips.

“Trotwood,” said he. “Let me see. I know the name, too. Old lady?”

“Yes,” I said, “rather.”

“Pretty stiff in the back?” said he, making himself upright.

“Yes,” I said. “I should think it very likely.”

“Carries a bag?” said he⁠—“bag with a good deal of room in it⁠—is gruffish, and comes down upon you, sharp?”