"I don't want it set out in the commercial room," said Mr. Meldon, "nor yet in the drawing-room. I want to take it in the kitchen along with Sabina."
"Is it in the kitchen? Sure that's no place for a gentleman like yourself to be taking his tea."
"All the same it's there I mean to have it. The fact is, I have a word or two to say to Sabina privately."
Doyle opened a door at the end of the hall in which they stood, and shouted down a long passage:
"Sabina, Sabina Gallagher! Are you listening to me? Very well then. Will you wet some tea in the silver teapot which you'll find beyond in—"
"I'd prefer the brown one," said Meldon, "if it's all the same to you. I hate the taste of plate-powder. I don't think it's likely that Sabina has been wasting her time polishing your silver, but you never can tell what a girl like that would do."
"In the brown teapot," shouted Doyle. "And set out a cup and saucer on the kitchen table—"
"Two cups," said Meldon. "I want Sabina to join me, so that I'll be sure of getting her in a good temper."
"Two cups," shouted Doyle. "And when you have that done be off and clean yourself as quick as you can, for the Reverend Mr. Meldon will be down in a minute to take tea with you. If there isn't a pot of jam down below—and it's likely you have it ate if there is—go into the shop and ask for one. Is it strawberry you'd like, Mr. Meldon?"
"That or raspberry," said Meldon. "I don't care which. And now I want to say a word or two to you."