"It seems his delight to torment her with terror; and she appears
almost equally eager to hear all, though it almost scares her out
of her senses. As for Gertrude, the child is pining like a caged
bird shut up in the house and not suffered to stir into the fresh
air. I am fair beset to know what to do for them. Nothing will
convince Madam but that there be dead carts at every street corner,
and that the child will bring home death with her every time she
stirs out. Yet Frederick comes to and fro, and she admits him to
her presence (though she holds a handkerchief steeped in vinegar to
her nose the while), and she gets no harm from him."

"Poor child!" said Rachel, thinking of Gertrude, whom once she had
known so well, running to and fro in the house almost like one of
her own. "Would that we could do somewhat for her. But I fear me
her mother would not suffer her to visit us, especially since poor
Janet came home last night from a plague-stricken house."

Reuben's eyes had brightened suddenly at his mother's words, but
the gleam died out again, and he remained quite silent whilst the
story of Janet's appearance at home was told. The Master Builder
listened with interest and sighed at the same time. Perhaps he was
contrasting the nature of his neighbour's wife with that of his
own. How would Madam have acted had her child come to her in such a
plight?

Harmer then told his neighbour the rules he was about to lay down
for his own household, all of which the Master Builder, who was a
keen practical man, cordially approved. He was himself likely soon
to be in a great strait, for most probably he would be appointed in