A fit of coughing seized the old man and he was momentarily speechless.
She turned away from him.
"That's all right," she declared confidently. "He'll be reasonable by morning. You go and wash and get ready."
Harvey Grimm sighed mournfully. His wits were serving him at last, presenting a tardy possibility of escape.
"Miss Rosa," he said, "I haven't had the chance to say anything. You took me by surprise this afternoon. Perhaps I ought to have told you when we first met, but I didn't. I am married."
She stood looking at him for a moment, her voluptuous red lips parted, her eyebrows contracting.
"Married?" she exclaimed, a little hysterically. "You beast!"
"I can't help it," he apologised humbly. "I ought to have told you but I never thought. That is why I kept away before."
"I see," she murmured, with the air of one whose thoughts are far away.
Abraham Letchowiski sat up in his chair. He mopped his eyes with a yellow handkerchief.