Mrs. Zimmerman Listening At The Wall

I'd totally forgotten I'd meant to add this drawing from The house with a clock in its walls by John Bellairs. I'd never been able to find it online.

This is probably my favorite Edward Gorey illustration, as well as one of my favorite scenes in the book. Lewis arriving at his Uncle Jonathan's house to find a woman mysteriously listening at the wall sets up a story you know will be a bit unusual.

The House with a Clock in its Walls

Today, my dear man brought me a most wonderful present: one of my favorite childhood books, The house with a clock in its walls. I loved it so in...fourth grade, was it? There wasn't many things I loved about fourth grade, but our little classroom library was one of them. I was always eager for a chance to grab this one at reading time. I was also intrigued by Edward Gorey's illustrations. Gorey, of course, having illustrated quite a few book in our library already.

I always imagined, should I be lucky enough to become an elderly lady, I would be Mrs. Zimmerman. Who wouldn't want to be a sharp-tongued, cookie-baking D.Mag.A. ?