"No, indeed no. My visit is connected with this world and not the next. I was informed in the village that this house was to let."
"You were misinformed."
"Furnished—to let furnished. Yes." This was a happy thought and he followed it up closely. "I should consider myself indeed fortunate if you, dear lady, would conduct me round its various apartments."
"The house is not to let under any consideration."
"Dear, dear! How disappointing."
"So if that is your only object in calling——" Her hand went out toward the bell.
"I pray you will allow me to remain a moment and recover my breath.
The heat of the walk, you know. I am not as young as I was."
"No one is," replied Mrs. Barraclough uncompromisingly.
"How very, very true," said Mr. Bolt with outward benevolence but inwardly with a powerful inclination toward violence. "Yes, very true, although it is bitter indeed to be taunted with lack of youth. In the words of the Gospel 'do unto others as you would be done by.'"
"In what particular part of the Gospel does that phrase occur?" demanded Mrs. Barraclough shrewdly.