I forget everything now . '' `` My name is March , '' said Mrs. March briefly , ignoring the question . `` I do n't suppose you ever heard it before . '' She wrapped her own warm shawl about the other woman 's thin shoulders . Then she hastened to the kitchen and soon returned , carrying a tray of food and a steaming hot drink . She wheeled a small table up to her visitor 's side and said , very kindly , `` Now , take a bite , my dear , and this raspberry vinegar will warm you right up . It is a dreadful day for you to be out . Why on earth did n't Joel Kent drive you over ? '' `` They did n't know I was coming , '' whispered Mrs. Baxter anxiously . `` I -- I ran away . Sarah would n't have let me come if she had known . But I wanted to come so much . It is so nice to be home again . '' Mrs. March watched her guest as she ate and drank . It was plain enough that her mind , or rather her memory , was affected . She did not realize that this was no longer her home . At moments she seemed to fancy herself back in the past again . Once or twice she called Mrs. March `` Mother . '' Presently a sharp knock was heard at the hall door . Mrs. March excused herself and went out .
In the porch stood Theodosia Stapp and a woman whom Mrs. March did not at first glance recognize -- a tall , aggressive-looking person , whose sharp black eyes darted XXXXX past Mrs. March and searched every corner of the hall before anyone had time to speak .
about as at for in of on over that to