He was so odd, standing there, so aggressive and explosive, bottle in one hand and test-tube in the other, that Mrs. Hall was quite alarmed. But she was a resolute woman. “In which case, I should like to know, sir, what you consider⁠—”

“A shilling⁠—put down a shilling. Surely a shilling’s enough?”

“So be it,” said Mrs. Hall, taking up the tablecloth and beginning to spread it over the table. “If you’re satisfied, of course⁠—”

He turned and sat down, with his coat-collar toward her.