Little squirrels looked out at them through the trees as they went by. The rabbits ran quickly away with their white tails in the air, running through the bushes and over the grass.

However, as the Otis family came nearer Canterville Chase, suddenly the sky was dark with clouds. The air became strangely still. Big, black birds flew silently over their heads, and, before the Otis family reached the house, some big drops of rain were falling.

An old woman was standing on the steps to meet them. She wearing black and white clothes that were clean and neat. This was Mrs Umney, the housekeeper.

She had only stayed at the house because Lady Canterville, the previous owner, had asked her to. She went to meet the Otis family as they arrived, and said in a polite voice, 'Welcome to Canterville Chase.'

The family followed her through the a lovely, very old, hall into the library. This was a long, low room, with walls of dark wood. At the end of the library was a large window made of coloured glass.

Here the Otis family found Mrs Umney had made tea for them. The Otis family took off their outdoor clothes, sat down and began to look around.