Malcolm Malcolmson, a mathematics student, decides to find a quiet town away from distractions to prepare for his examination. He takes a train to a random little town he has never heard of called Benchurch. He spends the first night at the only inn in town then goes out the next day in search of more suitable quarters. He finds exactly what he was looking for - an old Jacobean house surrounded by high brick walls, uninhabited and exceptionally desolate. The house agent is delighted to hear Malcolmson wants to rent the ...
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Malcolm Malcolmson, a mathematics student, decides to find a quiet town away from distractions to prepare for his examination. He takes a train to a random little town he has never heard of called Benchurch. He spends the first night at the only inn in town then goes out the next day in search of more suitable quarters. He finds exactly what he was looking for - an old Jacobean house surrounded by high brick walls, uninhabited and exceptionally desolate. The house agent is delighted to hear Malcolmson wants to rent the house. The agent says the house has been empty for so long that the locals have developed an "absurd prejudice" about it. Malcolmson pays his rent and gets the name of an old woman who might tend to his needs.The inn's landlady, Mrs. Witham, is shocked to hear Malcolmson will be living in the Judge's House. A hundred or more years ago, a judge lived there who was notorious for his harsh sentences. Mrs. Witham does not know what there is against the house itself, but she is genuinely worried. Malcolmson assures her that he will be too busy with mathematics to be disturbed by anything mysterious. Mrs. Witham offers to secure the necessary provisions for him while Malcolmson goes out to engage the old woman recommended by the agent.With help from Mrs. Witham and Mrs. Dempster, the charwoman, Malcolmson settles in the great dining room of the old house which is big enough to serve as his apartment. Mrs. Witham offers kind wishes before running off, too scared to stay any longer. Mrs. Dempster says she is not afraid of bogies because they are only rats, creaky doors, and so on. She tells Malcolmson there are many rats in the old wainscoting. Saying "Rats is bogies, I tell you, and bogies is rats," Mrs. Dempster sets to work. By the time she leaves for the night, the room is clean and comfortably tidy, with a fire burning in the old hearth and supper on the table.
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Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.