When we heard of his illness I went over to Woodlands to see him , for I had always been a great favourite with him .<br>The big house was quiet , the servants going about their work as usual , without any appearance of excitement .<br>I was told that I could not see Mr. Lawrence for a little while , as the doctor was with him .<br>Mrs. Yeats , the housekeeper , said the attack was not serious and asked me to wait in the blue parlour , but I preferred to sit down on the steps of the big , arched front door .<br>It was an evening in June .
The arched front door was painted red.