"What new mischief...?" I began.
She turned to me with a maddening smile and opened her mouth. Then she changed her mind and raised her eyebrows instead.
"This isn't fair," I said. "You can't ride with the herring and run with the beagles too."
But she would not tell me. Neither would she let me give her lunch.
"But the telegram," said I desperately. "You might let me—"
"I don't suppose you have tea, but if you do happen to be in St. James's Street about a quarter to five..."
That afternoon she showed me the wire. It was as follows:
"Thousand apologies housekeeper's sudden illness detained me just learned my fool of servant misunderstood hasty instructions and refused you admission another thousand apologies two thousand in all writing." We thought it was rather good.
The next morning I glanced at the clock and pushed back my chair.
"I must be off," I murmured.