"
They were now close to the chocolate-coloured door of the Chalet, and
Madame Wachner, to Sylvia Bailey's surprise and amusement, lifted a
corner of the shabby outside mat, and took from under it a key. With
it she opened the door. "Walk in," she said familiarly, "and welcome,
Madame, to my 'ome!"
Sylvia found herself in a bare little hall, so bare indeed that there was
not even a hat and umbrella stand there.
Her hostess walked past her and opened a door which gave into a darkened
room.
"This is our dining-room," she said proudly. "Walk in, Madame. It is 'ere
we had better 'ave tea, perhaps."
Sylvia followed her. How dark, and how very hot it was in here! She could
see absolutely nothing for some moments, for she was blinded by the
sudden change from the bright light of the hall to the dim twilight of
the closely-shuttered room.
Then gradually she began to see everything--or rather the little there
was to be seen--and she felt surprised, and a little disappointed.
The dining-room was more than plainly furnished; it was positively ugly.
The furniture consisted of a round table standing on an unpolished
parquet floor, of six cane chairs set against the wall, and of a
walnut-wood buffet, on the shelves of which stood no plates, or ornaments
of any description.
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