I turned the handle and walked in. He was seated before a stained and dinted urn of copper, and a great slice of toast from which he had just bitten a jagged semicircle was in his hand.
“I told him you was at breakfast,” said the cross girl, “but nothing ’ud suit his lordship but to drive his elbow into my chest and walk in.”
She emphasized her little lie with a pressure of her hand upon the presumably wounded part.
“Assault and battery,” said the doctor, showing his teeth. “Get out of my house, fellow.”
“After I’ve had a word with you.”
“Eh? Edith, go and fetch a constable.”
“Certainly,” I said. “The very thing I should like. I’ll wait here till he comes.”
He called to the girl as she was running out: “Wait a bit! Leave the fellow with me and shut the door.”
She obeyed sulkily and we were alone together.
He went on with his breakfast with an affectation of unconcern and took no notice of me whatever.