To myself I sat repeating—“If I answer to the door—

Rise to let the ruffian in who seems to want to burst the door,

I’ll be ——” that and something more.

Presently the row grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

“Really, Mister Johnson, blow it!—your forgiveness I implore,

Such an observation letting slip, but when a man’s just getting

Into bed, you come upsetting nerves and posts of chambers door,

Making such a row, forgetting”—Spoke a voice beyond the door:

“’Tisn’t Johnson”—nothing more!

Quick a perspiration clammy bathed me, and I uttered “Dammy!”