"I have been waiting for you, sir," said he.

He looked as if he were about to offer me his hand, but probably considered this an unnecessary ceremony under the circumstances.

"Would you like to retire to your room, sir, or would you prefer--prefer sitting out here to enjoy the cool of the evening?
Here are chairs and seats, sir, of all variety of comfort.

My family and I frequently sit out here in the evenings, but to-night the air is a little damp." I assured the gentleman that the air suited me very well, and that I would prefer not to retire so early; and so, not caring any longer to stand in front of the lighted doorway, I walked to one end of the piazza and took a seat.
"We haven't yet--that is to say, we are still at the table," he remarked, as he followed me; "but if there is anything that you would like to have, I should be--" I interrupted him by declaring that I had supped heartily and did not want for anything in the world, and then, with some sort of an inarticulate excuse, he left me.

I knew very well that this nervously correct personage had jumped up from his dinner in order that he might meet me at the door and thus prevent my unconventional attire from shocking any of the servants.
It was very quiet and pleasant on the piazza, but, although I could hear that a great deal of talking was going on inside, no words came to me.