Charlotte Brontë, ‘A Strange Occurrence at the Parsonage’, in Mrs E[lizabeth] C[leghorn] Gaskell’s The Life of Charlotte Brontë (London: Smith, Elder & Co., 2 volumes, 1857); rpt, Works of the Sisters Brontë, Haworth Edition, vol. vii (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1903), p. 94

Abstract

‘June 22, 1830, 6 o’clock p.m. ‘Haworth, near Bradford.’ The following strange occurrence happened on June 22, 1830: — At the time papa was very ill, confined to his bed, and so weak that he could not rise without assistance. Tabby and I were alone in the kitchen, about half-past nine ante-meridian (sic). Suddenly we heard a knock at the door; Tabby rose and opened it. An old man appeared, standing without, who accosted her thus:

• ‘Old Man. “Does the parson live here?”

• ‘Tabby. “Yes.”

• ‘Old Man. “I wish to see him.”

• ‘Tabby. “He is poorly in bed.”

• ‘Old Man. “I have a message for him.”

• ‘Tabby. “Who from?”

• ‘Old Man. “From the Lord.”

• ‘Tabby. “Who?”