“I’ll go and tell the missis how you cut up,” said she, going to the door.
This was unnecessary, however, for at this moment Mrs. Merton, desirous of learning how Tom was getting along, opened the door. She started back in dismay at the spectacle which greeted her view, and, in a tone unusually decided for so mild a woman, said, “Jenny, put down that razor instantly, and wipe the soap from your cheeks. Not so,” she added hastily, seeing that Tom was about to wipe it off upon her skirt. “Here, take the towel. Now, what do you mean by such conduct?”
“Wouldn’t _he_ like it?” asked Tom, somewhat abashed.
“Then I won’t do so again;” and Tom seemed quite decided in her repentance.
“What possessed you to touch those things, Jenny?”
“That isn’t all she did, mum,” said Sarah. “She threw the pillow at me, and almost druv the comb into my head. She’s the craziest creetur’ I ever sot eyes on.”
“Yes,” said Tom. “I told her she might pitch it at me. It’s bully fun.”
“I can’t allow such goings-on,” said Mrs. Merton. “If you do so again, I must send you back to your grandmother.”
“You don’t know where she lives,” said Tom.
Tom thought of the three square meals which she would receive daily, and decided to remain. She continued quiet, therefore, and really helped Sarah in the remaining rooms. When this task was completed she went downstairs. At this moment a ring was heard at the door-bell. Thinking that it might be the captain, Tom answered the summons herself. She opened the door suddenly, but found herself mistaken.
“Come right along. I’ll show you where she is.”
She knew that the landlady was in the kitchen, and supposed that this was the proper place to lead the visitor.
The latter followed Tom as far as the head of the stairs, and then paused.
“She’s down in the kitchen. Come right along.”
“No, I will stay here. You may tell her there is a gentleman wishes to see her.”
“There’s a feller upstairs wants to see you,” she said. “He wouldn’t come down here. I asked him.”
“Good gracious! You didn’t invite him down into the kitchen?”
“You should have carried him into the parlor.”
“All right!” said Tom. “I’ll know better next time.”
Mrs. Merton smoothed her hair, and went upstairs to greet her visitor, who proved to be an applicant for board.