‘In one second,’ I said.
I locked the outer door on the inside, slipped the key into my pocket, and picked up the candle.
‘What were you doing out there?’ he demanded.
‘Nothing,’ I said. ‘I had to pick the candle up.’
He seized my hat from the table and threw it to the floor. Then he sat down.
‘Nex’ time,’ he remarked, ‘you’ll know better’n to keep me waiting.’
I lighted a lamp.
‘I’m very sorry,’ I said. ‘Won’t you go to bed?’
‘I shall go to bed when I want,’ he answered. ‘I’m thirsty. In the cupboard you’ll see a bottle. I’ll trouble you to give it me, with a glass and some water.’
‘This cupboard?’ I said questioningly, opening a cupboard papered to match the rest of the wall.