She repeated the name wonderingly and he explained. "My landlady. If I do not return she will imagine I have run away to cheat her."
It was a poor jest, but only a jest, and he was benumbed at its effect. The lady frowned terribly upon him. Anger swept her lovely features like a thunder-cloud.
"How could you?" she cried in heavenly wrath. "How paltry! How pitiable! I knew you for a cheerful gentleman, but to find you a trivial scoffer——"
"Why, what have I done?" he stammered, amazed. "It was a mere joke—a laughing phrase—a word——"
"Done!" she echoed. "We were both upon the heights, and with your phrase—your joke—your word, you drag us down to the abyss of banality again. I——"
Her petulance annoyed him.
"Really, madam," he said bitingly, "I am sorry to have spoiled it—to have 'let down the scene,' as they say on the stage. But as I seem to have offended you I shall take my leave."
"If you do," she cried, "I shall never speak to you again. I swear it!"
He stood irresolute. After all, she looked such a darling when she was angry....
"Well," he said, temporizing, "if I stay for a while, will you promise to be sensible?"