He
had written from London saying that he would be glad if Mr and Mrs
Cotterill would "drop in" on this particular evening. Further, he had
mentioned that, as be had already had the pleasure of meeting Miss
Cotterill, perhaps she would accompany her parents.
"Well, he isn't here," said Denry, shaking hands. "He must have missed
his train or something. He can't possibly be here now till to-morrow.
But the house seems to be all ready for him...."
"Yes, my word! And how's yourself, Mrs Cotterill?" put in Mrs Machin.
"So we may as well look over it in its finished state. I suppose that's
what he asked us up for," Denry concluded.
Mrs Machin explained quickly and nervously that she had not been
comprised in any invitation; that her errand was pure business.
"Come on upstairs," Denry called out, turning switches and adding
radiance to radiance.
"Denry!" his mother protested, "I'm sure I don't know what Mr and Mrs
Cotterill will think of you! You carry on as if you owned everything in
the place. I wonder _at_ you!"
"Well," said Denry, "if anybody in this town is the owner's agent I am.
And Mr Cotterill has built the blessed house.
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