It may be imagined that the poor waiting-woman had not been in a happy
state of mind since she had been told that a gentleman was waiting to see
her down-stairs, who had declared himself to be a policeman immediately on
entering the shop. To escape was of course her first idea, but she was
soon made to understand that this was impracticable. In the first place
there was but one staircase, at the bottom of which was the open door of
the room in which the policeman was sitting; and then, the woman of the
house was very firm in declaring that she would connive at nothing which
might cost her and her husband their license. "You got to face it," said
the woman.
"I suppose they can't make me get out of bed unless I pleases," said
Patience firmly. But she knew that even that resource would fail her, and
that a policeman, when aggravated, can take upon him all the duties of a
lady's maid. She had to face it, and she did face it.
"I've just got to have a few words with you, my dear," said Gager.
"I suppose, then, we'd better be alone," said Patience; whereupon the
woman of the house discreetly left the room.
The interview was so long that the reader would be fatigued were he asked
to study a record of all that was said on the occasion.
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