Sappho herself could not have felt more elated on the
completion of one of her odes; we know she was poignant and sensitive.
Thus for a whole hour he idled with his thoughts--rare occupation for so
industrious a man. He was startled from the reverie by a slight knock at
his door.
'Come in,' he said coldly. There was a touch of annoyance in his tone.
Visitors, frequent enough in the morning, rarely disturbed him in the
afternoon.
'To whom have I the--duty of speaking?' He raised his well-preserved
spare form to its full height. The long loose alpaca coat, velvet skull-
cap, and pointed beard gave him the appearance of an eminent
ecclesiastic.
The subdued light in the room presented only a dim figure on the
threshold, and the piercing eyes of the Professor could only see a
blurred white face against the black frame of the open door. A strange
voice replied:
'I am sorry to disturb you, Professor Lachsyrma. I shall not detain you
for more than--an hour.'
'If you will kindly write and state the nature of your business, I can
give you an appointment to-morrow or the day after. At the present
moment, you will observe, I am busy. I never see visitors except by
appointment.'
'I am sorry to inconvenience you. Necessity compels me to choose my own
hours for interviewing any one.'
The Professor then suddenly removed the green cardboard shade from the
lamp. The discourteous intruder was now visible for his inspection.
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