"Kindly do as I ask."
"Certainly."
She had spoken his name with a peremptory positiveness that was almost an accusation. He rose, placing his napkin carefully at the side of his plate, raising his short eyebrows a little in surprise.
"Go to the vestibule," she continued, immediately shifting her glance from him to the others. "Are you there? Shut the sliding doors that lead into the studio. Lock them. Bring me the key."
He executed the order without bungling, while the company, in growing amazement, fascinated, watched his squat figure returning with the key.
"You've locked it?" she said, making the question an excuse to bury her glance in his.
"As you wished me to."
"Thanks."
She took from him the key, and, shifting slightly, likewise locked the door into her bedroom through which she had come.
Then, transferring the keys to her left hand, seemingly unaware of Bloodgood, who still composedly awaited her further instructions, her eyes studied a moment the possibilities of the apartment and then returned to her guests.