“Are you going to do what I say about that case?” screamed out Mrs. Hobbs from the kitchen.
Mr. Hobbs’ only reply as he took in an armful of billets was to mutter—
“Bell, you’re a fool?”
* * * * *
On resuming duty some hours later, Mr. Hobbs found himself detailed for the special service of watching Mrs. Booth.
CHAPTER IV
THE BOARDING-HOUSE AND BOARDERS
Mrs. Delfosse had “seen better days.” How it is that the profession of boarding-house keeping is for ever associated with a vista of past splendours history recordeth not. Other people hide past grandeur in the oblivion of silence, or shroud their social degeneracy even from their nearest friends. But the boarding-house keeper trumpets her past Arabian opulence from every vantage place her limited surroundings afford.
The house occupied by Mrs. Delfosse was one of a terrace. Not a mean lath-and-plaster, run-up-while-you-wait structure, but a fine substantial building that had, of course, ruined the innocent contractor who erected it. This house itself had, according to Mrs. Delfosse, been the scene of her former life of luxurious ease, in fact, until that fatal date when the late Captain Delfosse sailed on his last trip to America. There were some brutes who inwardly congratulated the luck of the Captain in never coming back, but the lady was inconsolable.
As usual in such cases, in the course of time she advertised for a few select boarders. What “select” meant was never explained, except it might mean that the tariff and accommodation were above the average.
There were five boarders—two city men on the first floor, Mr. and Mrs. Booth on the second floor back, and Professor Norris (an old friend of Mrs. Booth) on the second floor front.