“Somebody to enjoy it with you,” she said.
She opened the dining-room door. The man-servant appeared in the hall, with a gentleman behind him.
The gentleman was a scrupulously polite person. He looked with alarm at the ghastly face of the cook as she ran past him, making for the kitchen stairs. “I’m afraid I intrude on you at an unfortunate time,” he said to Benjulia. “Pray excuse me; I will call again.”
“Come in, sir.” The doctor spoke absently, looking towards the hall, and thinking of something else.
The gentleman entered the room.
“My name is Mool,” he said. “I have had the honour of meeting you at one of Mrs. Gallilee’s parties.”
“Very likely. I don’t remember it myself. Take a seat.”
He was still thinking of something else. Modest Mr. Mool took a seat in confusion. The doctor crossed the room, and opened the door.
“Excuse me for a minute,” he said. “I will be back directly.”
He went to the top of the kitchen stairs, and called to the housemaid. “Is the cook down there?”