In his room he spread a clean
towel, then two clean towels, on the bureau, and arrayed the
feast, with two water-glasses and a shaving-mug for cups.
Horatio Hood Teddem, spreading caviar on a sandwich, and loudly
singing his masterpiece, "Waal I swan," stopped short and fixed
amazed eyes on the door of the room.
Mr. Wrenn hastily turned. The light fell--as on a cliff of
crumbly gray rock--on Mrs. Zapp, in the open door, vast in her
ungirdled gray wrapper, her arms folded, glowering speechlessly.
"Mist' Wrenn," she began, in a high voice that promised to burst
into passion.
But she was addressing the formidable adventurer, Bill Wrenn.
He had to protect his friends. He sprang up and walked across
to her.
He said, quietly, "I didn't hear you knock, Mrs. Zapp."
"Ah _didn't_ knock, and Ah want you should--"
"Then please do knock, unless you want me to give notice."
He was quivering. His voice was shrill.
From the hall below Theresa called up, "Ma, come down here. _Ma!_"
But Mrs. Zapp was too well started.
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