"Do come in."
As the aperture was two feet square, all of Clem Sypher that could respond to the invitation was his head and shoulders.
"Is it good morning, good afternoon, or good night?" he asked, surveying Septimus's attire.
"Morning," said Septimus. "I've just got up. Have some breakfast."
He moved to a bell-pull by the fireplace, and the tug was immediately followed by a loud report.
"What the devil's that?" asked Sypher, startled.
"That," said Septimus mildly, "is an invention. I pull the rope and a pistol is fired off in the kitchen. Wiggleswick says he can't hear bells. What's for breakfast?" he asked, as Wiggleswick entered.
"Haddock. And the bath's running over."
Septimus waved him away. "Let it run." He turned to Sypher. "Have a haddock?"
"At four o'clock in the afternoon? Do you want me to be sick?"