Walter Haines entered the house at this moment. His attitude was distinctly apologetic.
"Remarkable old lady, isn't she?" he ventured.
"Who?" asked Mr. Carey.
"Why your aunt, of course; didn't you see her come in?"
Carey choked down his wrath out of respect to the ladies, but it was hard work.
"I never saw that woman before," he remarked; "you brought her here uninvited, now you take her away."
Naturally this provoked argument. Mrs. Haines sided with her husband, Mrs. Carey flew to the aid of her worser half, Miss Haines wept, and the little girl screamed. Upstairs, the bogus Aunt Mary was still laughing.
None of the interested parties could tell afterward how long the talk continued. A louder noise outside drew them all to the front porch. In front of the house was a hansom cab drawn by a disgusted-looking horse. He looked and acted like one who had been compelled against his will to mingle with disreputable associates.
The driver descended from his seat and fell full length upon the pavement. He didn't try to get up, but chanted in a husky tone, "Hail! hail! the gang's all here!!!"
Then the door of the cab opened and Mr. Perkins appeared. Nobody could deny that he was very much the worse for wear. But Mr. Perkins bore himself like a conqueror. He advanced hastily and embraced Carey with enthusiasm. Carey recoiled.