gateway which bore the number 201 bis painted in white on a blue ground. Below this was a notice printed in English:
For Porter please oppress once.
For Servant please oppress twice.
For Parlour please oppress thrice.
Hastings touched the electric button three times, and they were ushered through the garden and into the parlour by a trim maid. The dining-room door, just beyond, was open, and from the table in plain view a stout woman hastily arose and came toward them. Hastings caught a glimpse of a young man with a big head and several snuffy old gentlemen at breakfast, before the door closed and the stout woman waddled into the room, bringing with her an aroma of coffee and a black poodle.
“It ees a plaisir to you receive!” she cried. “Monsieur is Anglish? No? Americain? Off course. My pension it ees for Americains surtout. Here all spik Angleesh, c’est à dire , ze personnel; ze sairvants do spik, plus ou moins , a little. I am happy to have you comme pensionnaires—”
“Madame,” began Dr. Byram, but was cut short again.
“Ah, yess, I know, ah! mon Dieu! you do not spik Frainch but you have come to lairne! My husband does spik Frainch wiss ze pensionnaires. We have at ze moment a family Americaine who learn of my husband Frainch—”
Here the poodle growled at Dr. Byram and was promptly cuffed by his mistress.
“ Veux tu! ” she cried, with a slap, “ veux tu! Oh! le vilain, oh! le vilain! ”
“ Mais, madame ,” said Hastings, smiling, “ il n’a pas l’air très féroce. ”