Seeing that it was his intention to vex me I remained cool and collected.
"Oh, I wasn't particular about getting into your house,
Mr. Bennett," I said calmly. "I had but little choice in the matter.
It was get in lest a worse fate befall me. It was not you or your
house I wanted to see--although I admit that it is worth seeing
if a person is anxious to find out how dirty a place CAN be.
It was Jimmy. For the third and last time--where is Jimmy?"
"Jimmy is not here," said Mr. Bennett gruffly--but not quite
so assuredly. "He left last week and hired with a man
over at Newbridge."
"In that case," I said, picking up William Adolphus, who had been
exploring the room with a disdainful air, "I won't disturb you
any longer. I shall go."
"Yes, I think it would be the wisest thing," said Alexander Abraham--
not disagreeably this time, but reflectively, as if there was some
doubt about the matter. "I'll let you out by the back door.
Then the--ahem!--the dog will not interfere with you.
Please go away quietly and quickly."
I wondered if Alexander Abraham thought I would go away with a whoop.
But I said nothing, thinking this the most dignified course of conduct,
and I followed him out to the kitchen as quickly and quietly as he could
have wished.
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