“What do you mean? Ah, Mr. Green, how d’you do? See my news!”
“Yes, written up on the front door. Everyone’s shocked.”
“Rather!” said Mr. Green, gazing at Mrs. Merillia with confused mournfulness. “One doesn’t see death on a front door every day, don’t you know, in big round hand too, and then one of those modern words.”
“Death on the front door in big round hand!” said Mrs. Merillia in the greatest perplexity.
“I put it there, grannie,” said the Prophet, humbly. “I wrote that if another boy knocked, death would certainly ensue.”
“Ensue. That’s it. I knew it was one of those modern words,” said Mr. Green.
“Another boy?” said Lady Enid. “Why should another boy knock?”
“Hennessey receives about nine telegrams an hour,” answered Mrs. Merillia.
“Really!”
Lady Enid looked at him with keen interest, while Mrs. Merillia continued,—