“I CAN SEE HER PEEKING IN THROUGH THE DOOR.”
He opened another drawer, and rummaged about inside, and then sat down on a chair with his head on his hands.
“Plague take it,” said he, “I just know I’m going to cry. And there’s no handkerchiefs in the house. Why do they all run away from me? And she wants to go home before she’s been here ten minutes, and there’s no handkerchiefs in the house—boo-hoo-hoo!”
“I believe he’s crying,” said a voice outside.
“I believe he is, brother, I believe he is,” said another voice.
“How would it do to go in?” said the first voice.
“That’s a very clever idea, brother, very clever,” said the other voice.
The front door opened, and in walked the two gnomes.
“I believe she’s here, too, brother Nibby,” said Malkin. “I can see her peeking in through the door.”
“Then,” said brother Nibby, “I wonder why she doesn’t come in?”