Alonzo touched an electric bell button in the wall. He waited a moment, then touched it again; waited a few moments more, and said:
“Battery out of order, no doubt. But now that I have started, I will find out what time it is.” He stepped to a speaking-tube in the wall, blew its whistle, and called, “Mother!” and repeated it twice.
“Well, that's no use. Mother's battery is out of order, too. Can't raise anybody down-stairs—that is plain.”
He sat down at a rosewood desk, leaned his chin on the left-hand edge of it and spoke, as if to the floor: “Aunt Susan!”
A low, pleasant voice answered, “Is that you, Alonzo?'
“Yes. I'm too lazy and comfortable to go downstairs; I am in extremity, and I can't seem to scare up any help.”
“Dear me, what is the matter?”
“Matter enough, I can tell you!”
“Oh, don't keep me in suspense, dear! What is it?”
“I want to know what time it is.”