They're not in his bedroom."
"Well, ask the elevator boy. He'll know when he went out. Hurry up,
Thomas. Don't stop to put on a collar. Do hurry--"
"I'm not putting on a collar," came in smothered tones. "I'm putting
on a shirt."
He didn't quite have it on when Melissa appeared in the doorway, wide-
eyed and excited.
"Uncle Joe has disappeared, ma'am," she chattered. "I can't find hide
or hair of him. Did you call, Mr. Bingle, or was it--"
"I called," said Mr. Bingle, getting behind the foot-board of the bed.
"Where is he? Did you--"
"I heard him moving about the kitchen about six or half-past. I peeked
out of my door, and there he was, all dressed, putting the coffee pot
on the stove. I says to him: 'What are you doing there?' and he says:
'I'm getting breakfast, you lazy lummix,' and I says: 'Well, get it,
you old bear, 'cause I won't, you can bet on that,'--and went back to
bed. Oh, goodness--goodness! I wouldn't ha' said that to him if I'd
knowed he--"
"Don't blubber, Melissa," cried Mrs. Bingle. "Ask the elevator boy
what time it was when--"
"Hand me my trousers, Mary," shivered Mr.
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