4. EIGHT TO TEN O'CLOCK A.M.Mrs. Crickett, twice a widow, and now the parish clerk's wife, a
fine-framed, scandal-loving woman, with a peculiar corner to her
eye by which, without turning her head, she could see what people
were doing almost behind her, lived in a cottage standing nearer to
the old manor-house than any other in the village of Carriford, and
she had on that account been temporarily engaged by the steward, as
a respectable kind of charwoman and general servant, until a
settled arrangement could be made with some person as permanent
domestic.
Every morning, therefore, Mrs. Crickett, immediately she had
lighted the fire in her own cottage, and prepared the breakfast for
herself and husband, paced her way to the Old House to do the same
for Mr. Manston. Then she wen
