But I cannot bear to be handled again, and will not let her unfasten the violet dress. ''You like it, dear girl?'' she says then, her face and voice grown softer. ''There! I knew the silks would bring you round at last. Now, what say we go down and stun the gents? Miss Lilly?—Dainty, you go on first. Them stairs are tricky, I should hate for Miss Lilly to take a tumble.''
She has unlocked the door. Dainty passes before me and, after a second, I follow. I still wish I had shoes, a hat, a cloak; but I will run, bare-headed, in silken slippers, if I must. I will run, all the way to Briar. Which was the door, at the foot of the stairs, that I ought to take? I am not sure. I cannot see. Dainty walks ahead of me, and Mrs Sucksby follows anxiously behind. ''Find your step, dear girl?'' she says. I do not answer. For there has come, from some room close by, an extraordinary sound—a sound, like the cry of a peahen, rising, then trembling, then fading to silence. I start, and turn. Mrs Sucksby has also turned. ''Go on, you old bird!'' she cries, shaking her fist. And then, to me, more sweetly: ''Not frightened, dear? Why, that''s only Mr Ibbs''s aged sister, that is kept to her bed, poor thing, and prone to the horrors.''