When London Sleeps — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

76 A SHOWER OF GOLD. house go to the door, and then she heard one of the gentlemen ask for Miss Queenie Carruthers. This was enough for Mrs. Jones, already suspi- cious as she was. With the stride ofa tragedy queen, she advanced to the door, and, thrusting the maid aside, confronted the two men on the steps outside: ‘You wish to see Miss Queenie Carruthers ?’’ she _ asked, sternly, folding her arms in a defiant man- ner. ae ‘Yes, if you please,’’? answered the elder of the two gentlemen. : ‘Well, you won’t!’’ declared Mrs. Jones, barring the way with her portly figure. ‘‘ You just clear out of this, and go home to your wife and family, you hoary-headed old reprobate!”’ The gentleman thus addressed gazed at her in amazement. He could not understand in the least, and wondered if he had suddenly been brougJit into contact with a lunatic. His companion, however, who had had more experience, fully realized the sit- uation, and with difficulty prevented himself from laughing aloud at the absurd and anomalous position in which this staid and respectable lawyer found himself. ‘But, my dear madam,’’ began Mr. Fuller, depre- catingly, ‘‘I assure you——’”’ But Mrs. Jones was convinced that she was right, and was not to be placated by what she considered to be wheedling words. ° : : ‘Don’t you talk to me!’’ she interrupted, indig- nantly and loudly. ‘‘Don’t you dare to talk to me. I know the likes ef you. You think because a. girl comicbooks co