"Dis ist Mister Bauermann's house."
"Is he in? I'd like very much to speak to him. I am sure he would let us have something to eat," went on Jack in the smoothest tone he could command.
"Do you know Mister Bauermann?" questioned the woman cautiously.
"Isn't he the gentleman who has been riding around here in his sleigh with two or three other men?" asked Gif. "If he is," he continued, "we have met him near my father's place."
"I think you might at least let us have a little to eat. We're willing to pay well for it," broke in Jack. "Just a little bread and butter, and maybe a cup of hot coffee or tea if you have it."
"I can't open de door for you," said the woman firmly. "Mister Bauermann he gifs orders not to let anypody in de house. You haf to go avay unt get somedings to eat somevhere else."
"When do you expect Mr. Bauermann back?" asked Gif.
"Dot I can't say. Maybe he was come back by dinner time, unt maybe not bis night."
"All right then, we'll go. But I think you are rather mean not to sell us something to eat," said Jack.
To this the woman did not make any reply, but they heard her fumbling at the door, evidently making certain that the lock and bolt were secure.