"Flathers," she said, "it's him coming round the house now. He said
he'd be back before six, an' wouldn't stand no foolin'. What you goin'
to do, Flathers?"
Before Miss Lady and Mrs. Ivy could make their exit, the way was
blocked by a heavy-set, muscular, one-eyed man who placed a hand on
either side of the door jamb and unnecessarily announced that there he
was. Frantic efforts on the part of Phineas to signify to the newcomer
by winks and gestures, that the presence of guests would prevent his
talking business, were without effect.
"You ladies'll have to excuse me," said the intruder cheerfully, "but
I can't fool with this bunch no longer. It's pay, or git out, this
time and no mistake."
Maria began to cry, and forgot to jolt the Boarder, and the Boarder
who insisted upon being jolted every instant he was not sleeping or
eating, began to cry also. Whereupon Loreny, who had been laid upon
the kitchen table, heard the noise and felt called upon to add her
voice to the chorus.
By this time Chick and his colleagues, scenting excitement from afar,
had followed its trail and now presented themselves breathless and
interested to await developments.
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