I didn't dare stay."
"Well, what did you tell him about your gold dishes for in the first
place?" cried Marcus.
"I never told him," protested Maria, with the greatest energy. "I never
told him; I never heard of any gold dishes. I don' know where he got the
idea; he must be crazy."
By this time Trina and McTeague, Old Grannis, and little Miss Baker--all
the lodgers on the upper floors of the flat--had gathered about Maria.
Trina and the dentist, who had gone to bed, were partially dressed, and
Trina's enormous mane of black hair was hanging in two thick braids
far down her back. But, late as it was, Old Grannis and the retired
dressmaker had still been up and about when Maria had aroused them.
"Why, Maria," said Trina, "you always used to tell us about your gold
dishes. You said your folks used to have them."
"Never, never, never!" exclaimed Maria, vehemently. "You folks must all
be crazy. I never HEARD of any gold dishes."
"Well," spoke up Miss Baker, "you're a queer girl, Maria; that's all
I can say." She left the group and returned to her room. Old Grannis
watched her go from the corner of his eye, and in a few moments followed
her, leaving the group as unnoticed as he had joined it.
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