A cloud of tobacco smoke and a wide-spread copy of a New York paper concealed him from too impertinent gaze.

He did not raise his head at the sound of the opening door, but contented himself with growling---- 'Confound your impudence! You might at least knock before you come in.' Constance laughed and advanced a hesitating step across the threshold.
Tony dropped his paper and sprang to his feet, his face, assuming a shade of pink only less vivid than the oleanders.

She shook her head sorrowfully.
'I don't need to tell you, Tony, how shocked we are to find you in such a place.

Our trust has been rudely shaken; we had not supposed we were harbouring a deserter.' Mr.Wilder stepped forward and held out his hand; there was a twinkle in his eye, which he struggled manfully to suppress.
'Nonsense, Tony, we don't believe a word of it.

You a deserter from the Italian army?
It's preposterous! Where are your naturalization papers ?' 'Thank you, Mr.Wilder, but I don't happen to have my papers with me--I trust it won't be necessary to produce them.