A pert and Cockney voice squeaked into my ear that Miss Vi Vassity wasn't at home. That nobody knew when she was coming back. That the time to expect her was the time when she was seen coming in!
Charming trait! But why did the comedienne with the brass-bright hair choose to pass on that characteristic to my mistress?
I tried another number. "Nought, nought, nought Gerrard, please. I want to speak to Mr. Burke."
A rich brogue floated back to me across the wires. "What's attached to the charmin' girlish voice that's delighting my ears?"
"This is Miss—Miss Million's maid."
"Go on, darlin'," said the voice.
I gasped.
"Is that Mr. Burke speaking?"
"Who should ut be? This is the great, the notorious Burke himself."
"I mean," I called flurriedly, "is that my Mr. Burke?"