Presently her voice was heard without raised in angry reproaches.
"What's your name?" she was heard to demand. "I got to call it out."
"No, you don't, Ruthie dear," was the reply.
Mr. Hearty and Mrs. Bindle exchanged glances. They recognised that voice.
"You leggo, I ain't one of them sort," said the voice of Bindle.
"You ain't goin' in till you give me your name, so there!" was Alice's retort.
The guests focused their attention upon the door. Suddenly it opened a foot and then crashed to again.
"Ah! thought you'd got through, didn't you?" they heard Alice cry triumphantly.
Suddenly the door opened again and Bindle entered with Alice striving to restrain him.
"Now, Ruthie, I'm married; if I wasn't, well, anythink might 'appen. Look! 'ere's my coat and 'at, so don't say I 'aven't trusted you. 'Ere, leggo!"