“The head of the house,” pursued Silvia, ignoring my question, “is a collector.”
“So I inferred. Has he a large collection of soup plates?”
“She collects antiquities and writes their history. He pursues science.”
“They were seemingly communicative. What did they look like?”
“I didn’t see them. After I rang I heard a woman’s voice bidding some one not to answer the bell. She said she couldn’t be bothered with interruptions, so I went on up the street to call on Mrs. Fleming, who told me all about them. She was also refused admittance when she called. On my way home I met that boy––that awful boy–––”
She paused, evidently overcome by the consideration of his awfulness.
“He had been digging bait––”
Again she paused as if words were inadequate for her climax.
“Well,” I encouraged.