They then all rested weakly against the nearest support and gasped for breath.
"Well," said Mr. Jones, looking reproachfully at the mistress of the house, "I've never 'andled a pianner——"
At this moment a well-known voice was heard in the recesses of the van, behind the piano and sideboard and hat-stand.
"Hey! let me out! What you've gone blockin' up the van for? I can't get out!"
There was a horror-stricken silence. Then Ethel said sharply:
"What did you go in for?"
The mysterious voice came again with a note of irritability.
"Well, I was restin'. I mus' have some rest, mustn't I? I've been helpin' all mornin'."
"Well, couldn't you see we were putting things in?"
The unseen presence spoke again.