Wherefore I addressed myself to him in my politest manner and inquired if I could serve him.

Thereupon he asked if he could see Miss Adela Chatfield on very important business.
Now, I wasn't going to let him see Miss Addie, for I took him to be a man who might have a writ about him, or something nasty of that sort.

But at that very moment, Miss Addie, who had been rehearsing, and had come out by the house instead of going through the stage door, came tripping into the vestibule and let off a sharp note of exclamation.

After which she and old wooden-face stepped into the street together, and immediately exchanged a few words.

And that the old man told her something very serious was abundantly evident from the expression of their respective countenances.