The assistant took it mechanically.

The young lady did not wait to give further orders.

She rushed out of the room and shut the door.

Brown was alone with the wasps, and they were lively company.
When, at last, the battle was over, the last wasp was dead, the nest was a crumpled gray heap over in the corner, and the assistant's brow was ornamented with four red and smarting punctures, which promised to shortly become picturesque and painful lumps.

Rubbing these absently with one hand, and bearing the towel in the other, he opened the door and stepped out into the adjoining room.
The two women were awaiting him.