“So I would have come IMMEJOUSLY,” said Hannah, displaying a most reprehensible ignorance, “but me hands were all covered with flour.”
“That makes no difference,” interrupted the Squire. “Flour is an accidental circumstance.”
“What's that?” thought Hannah, opening her eyes in amazement.
“And should not be allowed to interpose an obstacle to an IMMEJIATE answer to my summons.”
“Sir,” said Hannah, who guessed at the meaning though she did not understand the words, “you wouldn't have me dirty the door-handle with me doughy hands?”
“That could easily be remedied by ablution.”
“There ain't any ablution in the house,” said the mystified Hannah.
“I mean,” Squire Newcome condescended to explain, “the application of water—in short, washing.”
“Shure,” said Hannah, as light broke in upon her mind, “I never knew that was what they called it before.”
“Is Ben-ja-min at home?”