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Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931

"The Card, a Story of Adventure in the Five Towns"

"You just turn this
tap at the side. You see, it's so arranged that it sends a flat jet
along the step. Stand off a second."
He turned the tap, and the step was washed pure in a moment.
"How is it that that water steams?" Mrs Machin demanded.
"Because it's hot," said Denry. "Did you ever know water steam for any
other reason?"
"Hot water outside?"
"Just as easy to have hot water outside as inside, isn't it?" said
Denry.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed Mrs Machin. She was impressed.
"That's how everything's dodged up in this house," said Denry. He shut
off the water.
And he rang once again. No answer! No illumination within the abode!
"I'll tell you what I shall do," said Denry at length. "I shall let
myself in. I've got a key of the back door."
"Are you sure it's all right?"
"I don't care if it isn't all right," said Denry, defiantly. "He asked
me to be up here, and he ought to be here to meet me. I'm not going to
stand any nonsense from anybody."
In they went, having skirted round the walls of the house.
Denry closed the door, pushed a switch, and the electric light shone.
Electric light was then quite a novelty in Bursley.


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