Page:The Wonderful Visit.djvu/116

104 window-blind. Abruptly the door flew open, and she stared out into the Angel's face. A strange apparition, grey and dusty hair, and the dirty pink dress unhooked to show the stringy throat, a discoloured gargoyle, presently to begin spouting incomprehensible abuse.

"Now, then, Mister," began Mrs. Gustick. "Have ye nothin' better to do than listen at people's doors for what you can pick up?"

The Angel stared at her in astonishment.

"D'year!" said Mrs. Gustick, evidently very angry indeed. "Listenin'."

"Have you any objection to my hearing &hellip;"

"Object to my hearing! Course I have! Whad yer think? You ain't such a Ninny &hellip;"

"But if ye didn't want me to hear, why did you cry out so loud? I thought &hellip;"

"You thought! Softie—that's what you are! You silly girt staring Gaby, what don't know any better than to come holding yer girt mouth wide open for all that you can catch holt on? And then off up there to tell! You great Fat-Faced, Tale-Bearin' Silly-Billy! I'd be ashamed to come poking and peering round quiet people's houses &hellip;"