“It’s all right,” said Johnny, “I live here. Left my latchkey at home, that’s all.”
“There’s no females lodging here,” declared the raw-boned lady. “And what’s more, there’s going to be none.”
All this was very vexing. Johnny, in his joy at reaching his own doorstep, had not foreseen these complications. Now it would be necessary to explain things. He only hoped the story would not get round to the fellows at the club.
“Ask Mrs. Pegg to step up for a minute,” requested Johnny.
“Not at ’ome,” explained the raw-boned lady.
“Not—not at home?”
“Gone to Romford, if you wish to know, to see her mother.”
“Gone to Romford?”
“I said Romford, didn’t I?” retorted the raw-boned lady, tartly.
“What—what time do you expect her in?”