To this the pretended Mrs. Ansel made no reply.
After a moment Nick said:
“Ought we not to go?”
“As it draws near to the time, I am a little frightened,” she said.
Nevertheless she made preparations to start.
They went out of the store, walking down Sixth Avenue to Eighteenth Street, and then through that street to Fifth Avenue.
On the corner of that street the pretended Mrs. Ansel suddenly gave a little scream, clung tightly to Nick for a moment, and then leaped into a doorway, hiding herself.
Nick did not follow her, but stood still, watching her. The woman peered out cautiously; finally she came with a greatly frightened air to him, gasping out:
“My husband! He just crossed the street.”
“What then?” asked Nick.