“I know that, young man,” said she. “I’m going to take them with me now!”
“I’m afraid you can’t do that,” said Reginald. “They are being sent off from London.”
The lady, who had somewhat moderated her wrath in the presence of the secretary’s unruffled politeness, fired up as fiercely as ever at this.
“There! I knew it was a swindle! From London, indeed! Might as well say New York at once! I’m not going to believe your lies, you young robber! Don’t expect it!”
It was a considerable tax on Reginald’s temper to be addressed in language like this, even by a lady, and he could not help retorting rather hotly, “I’m glad you are only a woman, Mrs Wrigley, for I wouldn’t stand being called a thief by a man, I assure you!”
“Oh, don’t let that make any difference!” said she, fairly in a rage, and advancing up to him. “Knock me down and welcome! You may just as well murder a woman as rob her!”
“I can only tell you again your order is being executed in London.”
“And I can tell you I don’t believe a word you say, and I’ll just have my two pounds back, and have done with you! Come, you can’t say you never got that!”
“If you sent it, I certainly did,” said Reginald.
“Then perhaps you’ll hand it up this moment?”