Quentin dressed rapidly, and put on his boots and his hat.
“Well; give me the key.”
“I give the key to no one,” rejoined the actress.
“See here, don’t you exhaust my patience, or I’ll give you a thumping.”
When the old woman heard this, thrusting her face close to Quentin’s, she began to insult him, shaking her hands in his face.
“Rowdy!” she said, “you’re an indecent rowdy. A fandango-dancing rowdy!”
“Hush, ancient Canidia,” said Quentin, pushing the old woman away from him, “and get you gone to your laboratory.”
“Don’t you call my mother names; do you hear?”
“Nobody can call me names.”
“Well: will you give me the key or won’t you?” asked Quentin.