“I never have a match,” she said.
They blundered up tenebrous stairs.
“We’re just passing my door,” said Tommy. “Nick’s is higher up.”
Then a perpendicular slit of light showed itself—and a portal slightly open could be distinguished.
“I shall quit here,” said Tommy. “You go right in.”
“You aren’t leaving us?” exclaimed Miss Ingate in alarm.
“I won’t go in,” Tommy persisted in a quiet satiric tone. “I’ll leave my door open below, and see you when you come down.”
She could be heard descending.
“Why, I guess they’re here,” said a voice, Nick’s, within, and the door was pulled wide open.
“My legs are all of a tremble!” muttered Miss Ingate.