For one horrid moment she had the illusion again that

its four walls were closing in upon her. But it was dispelled for the time being by the entrance of the parlor maid with a silver tray containing tea things.

The clock on the chimneypiece began melodiously to chime four.

"Is that clock right, Ferris?" The high thin voice, as heard by herself, sounded to Helen quite unlike her own.

"Yes, m'm, I believe so."

"You needn't draw the curtains. I'll attend to those myself."

"Thank you, m'm."

The parlor maid went out of the room.