"Well, ladies—ladies," said a gravel voice beyond the entrance lights. "How is life in the Toadstool?"
"Boney!" said Miss Knox.
"The what?" asked Miss Erwin.
"That's what Dr. Brooks called it. Now you tell me what he meant—he wouldn't say. Toadstool."
"Come into the light, Boney—you frighten us," said Miss Erwin.
The man appeared, smiling, and climbed the first stone step. Resting his elbows on the lion and his chin in his hand, he looked down on them sideways.
"Not another new suit," said Miss Knox.
It was an archaic double-breasted suit in good condition. Where the jacket hiked up in back, a wide expanse of extra trouser seat had been folded over and tucked beneath the belt.
"Hundred-fifty-dollar suit," he said.
"With or without the bottle?" asked Miss Knox.