Mrs. Richards went downstairs. She wanted to find out whether it would be comfortable to wear.

Just as Mrs. Richards was entering the dinning room, there was a knock on the front door. She knew

that it must be the baker. She had told him to come straight in if ever she failed to open the door

and to leave the bread on the kitchen table. Not wanting to frighten the poor man, Mrs. Richards

quickly hid in the small storeroom under the stairs. She heard the front door open and heavy footsteps

in the hall. Suddenly the door of the storeroom was opened and a man entered. Mrs. Richards realized

that it must be the man from the Electricity Board who had come to read the metre. She tried to

explain the situation, saying 'It's only me', but it was too late. The man let out cry and jumped back

several paces. When Mrs. Richards walked towards him, he fled, slamming the door behind him.