A plain, plausible and remarkably chilling conte in which a colorless young clerk, Matthew, moves into a room to become the object of a neighbor's attention and affection--gross Mrs. Shawburn who attempts to seduce him while (so he presumes) disposing of her deaf-blind husband. This takes place in England--in the drab anonymity of some small town--and, like Matthew, you will be helplessly trapped. . . . leed tea and sympathy.