It seemed as if a malicious fate persisted in bringing the two old people face to face at the most inopportune moments.
Just now, however, a veritable catastrophe occurred.

The little old dressmaker changed her basket to her other arm at precisely the wrong moment, and Old Grannis, hastening to pass, removing his hat in a hurried salutation, struck it with his fore arm, knocking it from her grasp, and sending it rolling and bumping down the stairs.

The sole fell flat upon the first landing; the lentils scattered themselves over the entire flight; while the cabbage, leaping from step to step, thundered down the incline and brought up against the street door with a shock that reverberated through the entire building.
The little retired dressmaker, horribly vexed, nervous and embarrassed, was hard put to it to keep back the tears.

Old Grannis stood for a moment with averted eyes, murmuring: "Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
I--I really--I beg your pardon, really--really." Marcus Schouler, coming down stairs from his room, saved the situation.
"Hello, people," he cried.

"By damn! you've upset your basket--you have, for a fact.