There was a pause. Then a male understudy took up Thisbe's portion of the performance.
"Hi!"
"Sir?" said Ferris.
"You out there, what's your name...."
"My name is—and has always been—Ferris, sir."
"Well, then, Ferris, listen to me and understand that I'm not the sort of man to stand any dashed nonsense or anything like that of any description whatsoever. Why, when this dear, good lady told you to let us out, did you reply 'H'm!'? Answer me that—yes or no."
The butler raised himself on tip-toe again.
"The ejaculation was intended to convey doubt, your lordship."
"Doubt? What about?"
"As to whether I could see my way to letting you out, your lordship."