"It seems almost incredible," he answered, moving swiftly across the hall toward the sitting-room, where Tucker and Miss Falkener were visible.
"On the contrary," replied the elder lady, "it seems to me perfectly in keeping with the whole conduct of this extraordinary young person." They had now entered the room, and she included Tucker and her daughter in an account of the incident.
"You know, Solon, and you, too, Cora, how easy I am on servants. I must admit, every one will confirm it, that my own servants adore me. They adore me, don't they, Cora? No wonder. I see to their comfort. They have their own bath, and a sitting-room far better than anything I had myself as a young woman. But in return I do demand respect, absolute respect. And when I am looking into an ice-box, examining it, at Burton's special request, to have that young minx slam down the lid, almost catching my nose, Solon, I assure you, almost touching my nose, as she did it!"
Tucker listened attentively, tapping his eye-glasses on his left palm. Then he said:
"And what did you do about it, Burton?"
Crane had gone to the bookcases and taken down a volume of Shakespeare. He was so profoundly immersed that Tucker had to repeat his question. This is what he was reading:
Juliet: Think you that we shall ever meet again?
Romeo: I doubt it not, and all our woes shall serve
For pleasant converse in the days to come.
He looked up, vainly trying to suppress a smile.
"What did I do about what, Tuck?"
"About your cook's insulting Mrs. Falkener."