At the sound of her voice the man turned again, and stared.
"I beg your pardon. Were you speaking to me?"
"I was, and am. Mr. Graham has spoken to me of you, and I am quite certain that in doing so he has told us nothing but the exact and literal truth. In the light of what he has said, I know that I am giving expression to our common feeling in saying that we shall feel obliged to you if you will come in."
The man hesitated, fumbling with his hands, as if nonplussed.
"It's a good many years since I was spoken to like that."
"Possibly it's a good many years since you deserved to be spoken to like that. As a rule, that sort of speech is addressed to us to which we are entitled."
"That's true. By God, it is!"
"I believe I asked you to moderate your language."
"I beg your pardon; but it's a habit--of some standing."
"Then if that is the case, probably the time is come that it should die. Please let it die--if for this occasion only. Must I repeat my invitation, and press you to enter, in face of the eagerness to effect an entrance which it seems that you have already shown?"