"
He gave a jerk at the knob of parsonage street bell as if he were
determined to pull it out; the bell within rang loudly, angrily,
like the infuriate voice of a sleeper who has been roused with a
thundering kick. "This affair of ours," continued Craig, "is
going to cost money. And I've been spending it to-day like a
drunken sailor. The more careful I am, the less careful I will
have to be, my dear."
The door opened--a maid, scowling, appeared.
"Come on," cried Joshua to Margaret. And he led the way, brushing
the maid aside as she stood her ground, attitude belligerent, but
expression perplexed. To her, as he passed, Craig said: "Tell
Doctor Scones that Mr. Craig and the lady are here. Has Mr.
Arkwright come?"
By this time he was in the parlor; a glance around and he burst
out:
"Late, by jiminy! And I told him to be here ahead of time."
He darted to the window. "Ah! There he comes!" He wheeled upon
Margaret just as she dropped, half-fainting, into a chair. "What's
the matter, dear?" He leaped to her side. "No false emotions,
please. If you could weather the real ones what's the use of
getting up ladylike excitement over--"
"For God's sake!" exclaimed Margaret, "sit down and shut up! If
you don't I shall scream--scream--SCREAM!"
The maid gaped first at one, then at the other, left them
reluctantly to admit Arkwright.
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