"Stiegen!" Benno hissed; and a moment later he ushered Elkan and Yetta into the library, while Mr. Stout brought up the rear.
Benno cleared his throat preparatory to introducing the newcomers, but Louis Stout brushed hastily past him.
"Mr. Glaubmann," Louis said, "this is my friend, Elkan Lubliner."
"And you forget Mrs. Lubliner," cried Mrs. Ortelsburg, who had hurried downstairs at the sound of voices in the hall. "I'm Mrs. Ortelsburg," she continued, turning to Yetta. "Won't you come upstairs and take your things off?"
"Elkan," Louis Stout continued, "you better go along with her. I want you to see what an elegant lot of clothes-closets they got upstairs. You know most houses is designed by archytecks which all they are trying to do is to save money for the builder. Aber this archyteck was an exception. The way he figures it he tries to build the house to please the women, mit lots of closet room, and—excuse me, ladies—to hell with the expenses! I'll go upstairs with you and show you what I mean."
Benno frowned angrily.
"'Tain't necessary, Louis," he said. "Mrs. Ortelsburg would show him."
He drew forward chairs; and, after Elkan and Yetta had followed Mrs. Ortelsburg upstairs, he closed the library door.
"Couldn't I introduce people in my own house, Stout?" he demanded.
Louis Stout shrugged his shoulders.