"Why?" asked Mr. Lethbridge.
"Because we were coming to see you, to ask a favour."
"Anything I can do," said Mr. Lethbridge, knocking at the door, "you may depend upon."
"I told you so, Linton," said Kiss.
The dramatic author brightened up for a moment, but fell again immediately into a state of despondency.
"You're just in time for tea," said Mr. Lethbridge, kissing his wife, who opened the door for them. "Come in, come in. I've brought you some visitors, mother."
"How do you do, Mr. Kiss?" said Mrs. Lethbridge, shaking hands with the always welcome actor.
"Mother," said Mr. Lethbridge, "this is Mr. Linton, the celebrated author."
"I am glad to see you, sir," said Mrs. Lethbridge, inwardly disturbed by the thought that she had not got out her best tea service. "Mr. Kiss, will you take Mr. Linton into the drawing-room? You are at home, you know. Fanny and Bob will be in presently. Phœbe is here, father."
In point of fact, Phœbe, Fanny, and Bob, excited by the sound of the arrival of visitors, were on the first-floor landing, peeping over the balustrade to see who they were.