"Do I ever give orders for one dinner, with the other one still on mylips?"

"I only asked madame; there is no harm in asking." He strode away, hislong stiff black apron rattling like a petticoat about him. Catchingsight of the visitor still standing at the threshold: "0h, madame,here is Mr. Horace. Shall I let him in?"

"Idiot! Every Wednesday you ask me that question, and every WednesdayI answer the same way. Don't you think I could tell you when not to lethim in without your asking?"