“Excuse the anxiety I show,” he said simply, “but may I ask whether Miss Thorn is at home?”
“Perhaps if you rang the bell I could send for her,” remarked the old lady in problematic answer.
“Oh, certainly!” exclaimed Ronald, springing to his feet, and searching madly round the room for the bell. Miss Schenectady watched him calmly.
“I think if you went to the further side of the fire-place you would find it–back of the screen,” she suggested.
“Thanks; here it is,” cried Ronald, discovering the handle in the wall.
“Yes, you have found it now,” said Miss Schenectady with much indifference. “Perhaps you find it cold here?” she continued, observing that Ronald lingered near the fire-place.
“Oh dear, no, thanks, quite the contrary,” he answered.
“Because if it is you might–Sarah, I think you could tell Miss Josephine that Mr. Surbiton is in the parlor, could not you?”
“Oh, if it is any inconvenience”–Ronald began, misunderstanding the form of address Miss Schenectady used to her handmaiden.
“Why?” asked Miss Schenectady, in some astonishment.