She has to work most awful hard , and I suppose a sick person does n't come handy in a hotel . I guess you 've got your revenge , Anna , without lifting a finger to get it . Think of Lou Carroll coming to that ! '' The next day was cold and raw . The ragged , bare trees in the old Carroll grounds shook and writhed in the gusts of wind . Now and then a drifting scud of rain dashed across the windows . Mrs. March looked out with a shiver , and turned thankfully to her own cosy fireside again . Presently she thought she heard a low knock at the front door , and went to see . As she opened it a savage swirl of damp wind rushed in , and the shrinking figure leaning against one of the fluted columns of the Grecian porch seemed to cower before its fury . It was a woman who stood there , a woman whose emaciated face wore a piteous expression , as she lifted it to Mrs. March . `` You do n't know me , of course , '' she said , with a feeble attempt at dignity . `` I am Mrs. Baxter . I -- I used to live here long ago . I thought I 'd walk over today and see my old home . '' A fit of coughing interrupted her words , and she trembled like a leaf . `` Gracious me ! '' exclaimed Mrs. March blankly . `` You do n't mean to tell me that you have walked over from Oriental today -- and you a sick woman ! For pity 's sake , come in , quick . And if you 're not wet to the skin ! ''
She fairly pulled her visitor into the hall , and led her XXXXX the sitting-room .
For against as at if like of that to with