"Oh!" said Mrs. Machin. "It isn't so large."

"No! He did n't want it large. He only wanted it large enough," said Denry, and pushed a b.u.t.ton to the right of the front door. There was no reply, though they heard the ringing of the bell inside. They waited.

Mrs. Machin was very nervous, but thanks to her sealskin mantle she was not cold.

"This is a funny doorstep," she remarked, to kill time.

"It's of marble," said Denry.

"What's that for?" asked his mother.

"So much easier to keep clean," said Denry. "No stoning to do."

"Well," said Mrs. Machin. "It's pretty dirty now, anyway."

It was.

"Quite simple to clean," said Denry, bending down. "You just turn this tap at the side. You see, it's so arranged that it sends a flat jet along the step. Stand off a second."

He turned the tap, and the step was washed pure in a moment.

"How is it that that water steams?" Mrs. Machin demanded.

"Because it's hot," said Denry. "Did you ever know water steam for any other reason?"

"Hot water outside?"

"Just as easy to have hot water outside as inside, is n't it?" said Denry.

"Well, I never!" exclaimed Mrs. Machin. She was impressed.

"That's how everything's dodged up in this house," said Denry. He shut off the water.

And he rang once again. No answer! No illumination within the abode!

"I tell you what I shall do," said Denry at length. "I shall let myself in. I 've got a key of the back door."

"Are you sure it's all right?"

"I don't care if it is n't all right," said Denry defiantly. "He asked me to be up here, and he ought to be here to meet me. I 'm not going to stand any nonsense from anybody."

In they went, having skirted round the walls of the house.

Denry closed the door, pushed a switch, and the electric light shone.

Electric light was then quite a novelty in Bursley. Mrs. Machin had never seen it in action. She had to admit that it was less complicated than oil-lamps. In the kitchen the electric light blazed upon walls tiled in grey and a floor tiled in black and white. There was a gas range and a marble slopstone with two taps. The woodwork was dark.

Earthenware saucepans stood on a shelf. The cupboards were full of gear chiefly in earthenware. Denry began to exhibit to his mother a tank provided with ledges and shelves and grooves, in which he said that everything except knives could be washed and dried automatically.

"Had n't you better go and find your Mr. Wilbraham?" she interrupted.

"So I had," said Denry; "I was forgetting him."

She heard him wandering over the house and calling in divers tones upon Mr. Wilbraham. But she heard no other voice. Meanwhile she examined the kitchen in detail, appreciating some of its devices and failing to comprehend others.

"I expect he 's missed the train," said Denry, coming back. "Anyhow, he is n't here. I may as well show you the rest of the house now."

He led her into the hall, which was radiantly lighted.

"It's quite warm here," said Mrs. Machin.

"The whole house is heated by steam," said Denry. "No fireplaces."

"No fireplaces!"

"No! No fireplaces. No grates to polish, ashes to carry down, coals to carry up, mantelpieces to dust, fire-irons to clean, fenders to polish, chimneys to sweep."

"And suppose he wants a bit of fire all of a sudden in summer."

"Gas stove in every room for emergencies," said Denry.

She glanced into a room.

"But," she cried, "It's all complete, ready! And as warm as toast."

"Yes," said Denry. "He gave orders. I can't think why on earth he is n't here."

At that moment an electric bell rang loud and sharp, and Mrs. Machin jumped.

"There he is!" said Denry, moving to the door.

"Bless us! What will he think of us being here like?" Mrs. Machin mumbled.

"Pooh!" said Denry carelessly.

And he opened the door.

V

Three persons stood on the newly washed marble step-Mr. and Mrs.

Cotterill and their daughter Nellie.

"Oh! Come in! Come in! Make yourselves quite at home. That's what _we 're_ doing," said Denry in blithe greeting; and added, "I suppose he 's invited you too?"

And it appeared that Mr. Cecil Wilbraham had indeed invited them too.

He had written from London saying that he would be glad if Mr. and Mrs.

Cotterill would "drop in" on this particular evening. Further, he had mentioned that, as he had already had the pleasure of meeting Miss Cotterill, perhaps she would accompany her parents.