Ravenslee frowned and pushed back his chair, but in that moment they heard Hermione's glad welcome: "Why, Ann, you dear thing, you're just in time for the turkey—come right in."
"Turkey, my dear!" spoke the harsh voice of Mrs. Trapes. "Turkey—land sakes! But I only jest stepped over t' ask if you'd happened to find that lodger o' mine anywheres—why, Lord bless me!" she broke off, halting in the doorway as she beheld Ravenslee. "Lordy Lord, if he ain't a-settin' there, cool as ever was! If he ain't a-eatin' an' drinkin' an' me cookin' him at this moment the loveliest mutton chop you ever see! A mutton chop wiv a kidney, as he ordered most express—Lord, Mr. Geoffrey!"
"Why, to be sure," said Ravenslee, rising. "I forgot all about that chop, Mrs. Trapes."
"Didn't you order it most express—cut thick—an' wiv a kidney?"
"I did," said Ravenslee penitently.
"Well—there it is, cooked to a turn, an' nobody t' eat it! An' kidneys is rose again—kidneys is always risin'. Lord, Mr. Geoffrey!"
"Why, you see, Mrs. Trapes, we—that is, I had a birthday not long ago, and we're celebrating."
"And so shall you, Ann," said Hermione, "sit down, dear!"
"An' me in me oldest apron?" said Mrs. Trapes, squaring her elbows, "my dear, I couldn't—an' I wouldn't! But, oh! Mr. Geoffrey, what about that beautiful chop? I might warm it over for your breakfast?"
"Heaven forbid!"