'
'Did she talk?'
'Never, Mr. Aylwin,' said Wilderspin solemnly. 'Nor did I invite her
to talk, knowing whence she came--from the spirit-world. At the first
few sittings Mrs. Gudgeon came with her, and would sit looking on
with the intention of seeing that she came to no harm. She said her
daughter was very beautiful, and she, her mother, never trusted her
with men.'
'God bless the hag, God bless her; but go on!'
'Gradually Mrs. Gudgeon seemed to acquire more confidence in me; and
one day, on leaving, she lingered behind the girl, and told me that
her daughter, though uncommonly stupid and a little touched in the
head, had now learnt her way to my studio, and that in future she
should let her come alone, as she believed that she could trust her
with me. She warned me earnestly, however, not to "worrit" the girl
by asking her all sorts of questions.'
'And there she was right,' I cried. 'But you did ask her
questions,--I see you did, you asked her about her father and brought
on another catastrophe.'
'No,' said Wilderspin with gentle dignity; 'I was careful not to ask
her questions, for her mother told me that she was liable to fits.
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