The Crows jumped almost out of their scanty garments, and then settled down as if frozen to the spot.

It was a full minute before Anderson found his voice--in advance of Mrs.Crow at that, which was more than marvellous.
"What was that ?" he chattered.
"A knock!" she gasped.
"Some neighbour's sick." "Old Mrs.Luce.Oh, goodness, how my heart's going!" "Why don't you open the door, Eva ?" "Why don't you?
It's your place." "But, doggone it, cain't you see--I mean feel--that I ain't got hardly any clothes on?
I'd ketch my death o' cold, an' besides--" "Well, I ain't got as much on as you have.

You got socks on an'-- " "But supposin' it's a woman," protested he.

"You wouldn't want a woman to see me lookin' like this, would you?
Go ahead an'-- " "I suppose you'd like to have a man see me like this.

I ain't used to receivin' men in--but, say, whoever it was, is gone.