PHILIP SIDNEY
The Fabians had given Philip Sidney a pressing invitation to spend his first week in New York with them. When he arrived, however, and announced himself at the house, through some misunderstanding there was no one there to receive him save the servants.
A comely maid apologized for the absence of her mistress, saying that Mr. Sidney had not been expected until the following day; and showing him to his room she left him to his own devices.
Emerging from his bath and toilet, he found Mrs. Fabian not yet returned. It was but four o'clock, and he decided to go to the Ballard apartment and attend to his errand there.
Eliza had been doing some sweeping, the need for it goading her New England conscience to action. Her brown calico dress was pinned up over her petticoat, and her stern, lined face looked out from a sweeping-cap.
There sounded suddenly a vigorous knock on her door.
She scowled. "Some fresh agent, I s'pose," she thought. "Too sly to speak up the tube."
Broom in hand, she strode to the door and pulled it open with swift indignation.
"Why didn't you ring?" she exclaimed fiercely. "We don't want—"