Alice went upstairs with small hope of success. She knocked twice before receiving an answer.
‘Mother, are you there?’
‘What do you want?’ came back in a voice of irritation.
‘Dick’s here, and wants to speak to you. He says he must see you; it’s something very important.’
‘I’ve nothing to do with him,’ was the reply.
‘Will you see him if he comes up here?’
‘No, I won’t.’
Alice went down and repeated this. After a moment’s hesitation Mutimer ascended the stairs by threes. He rapped loudly at the bedroom door. No answer was vouchsafed.
‘Mother, you must either open the door or come downstairs,’ he cried with decision. ‘This has gone on long enough. Which will you do?’
‘I’ll do neither,’ was the angry reply. ‘What right have you to order me about, I’d like to know? You mind your business, and I’ll mind mine.’