"I beg your pardon, sir.

Welcome back to your own country, sir.

I wish you good-night, sir." She attempted to escape into the cottage; I followed her to the threshold of the door.

"Surely it's not time to go to bed yet," I ventured to say.
She was still on her good behavior to her landlord.

"Not if you object to it, sir," she answered.
This recognition of my authority was irresistible.