I don't say but what cigars may be all right for a man that can afford 'em, if he likes 'em better than a pipe, but you take a good old pipe now----" He continued, and was getting well into the eulogium customarily provoked by this theme, when there came an interruption: the door-bell rang, and he paused inquiringly, rather surprised.
Mrs.Adams spoke to Gertrude in an undertone: "Just say, 'Not at home.'" "What ?" "If it's callers, just say we're not at home." Gertrude spoke out freely: "You mean you astin' me to 'tend you' front do' fer you ?" She seemed both incredulous and affronted, but Mrs.Adams persisted, though somewhat apprehensively.

"Yes.

Hurry--uh--please.

Just say we're not at home if you please." Again Gertrude obviously hesitated between compliance and revolt, and again the meeker course fortunately prevailed with her.

She gave Mrs.
Adams a stare, grimly derisive, then departed.