“No, no. That is, it can't be anybody to see me. I don't want to see anybody. Tell him so, whoever it is. I can't see anybody. I—NAT!”
He stood in the doorway, beckoning to her.
“Keziah,” he said, “come here. I want you. I'll tell you why in a minute. Come!”
She hesitated. In a measure she was relieved, for she had feared the man at the door might be her husband. But she was greatly agitated and troubled. Everyone in the place was looking at her.
“Nat,” she said, trying to speak firmly, “I can't see you now. I'm very busy. Please go away.”
“Come!”
“I can't come. Go away. Please!”
“Keziah, I'm waitin'. And I'm goin' to wait if I stay here all night. Come!”
She obeyed then. She could not have a scene there, before all those strangers. She stepped past him into the little room. He followed and closed the door.
“Nat,” she said, turning to him, “why did you come? How could you be so cruel? I—”