Tell her I must see her, and have done with it.' Alice went upstairs with small hope of success.

She knocked twice before receiving an answer.
'Mother, are you there ?' 'What do you want ?' came back in a voice of irritation.
'Dick's here, and wants to speak to you.

He says he _must_ see you; it's something very important.' 'I've nothing to do with him,' was the reply.
'Will you see him if he comes up here ?' 'No, I won't.' Alice went down and repeated this.

After a moment's hesitation Mutimer ascended the stairs by threes.

He rapped loudly at the bedroom door.