And tardily was answered by husky voice "Come in."
To purpose of her visit, he gave a mild assent,
Which somewhat indicated a debt of backward rent.
We entered the apartment, and gaunt, and wan, and scared!
From tangle of the blankets, blear-eyed, and towsel-haired,
A moment rose the lodger, then underneath the clothes,
He snapped himself like oyster, and only left his nose.
I took a swift synopsis, again we stepped the stair,
She bowed me to her parlour, and all around me there,
Were virtue objects, suited for curioso sale,