Perhaps had his mood not been such an abstract one he would have
realized that he was directly in the main thoroughfare and obstructing
the path between the pantry and the oven. As it was he failed to grasp
the circumstance, and not wishing to disturb him, Celestina patiently
circled before, behind and around him in her successive pilgrimages to
the stove. Such situations were exigencies to which she was quite
accustomed, her easy-going disposition quickly adapting itself to
emergencies of the sort. So skilful was she in effacing her presence
that Willie had no knowledge he was an obstacle until suddenly the iron
door swung back of its own volition and in passing brushed his knuckles
with its hot metal edge.
"Ouch!" cried he, starting up from his chair.
"What's the matter?" called Celestina from the pantry.
"Nothin'. The oven door sprung open, that's all."
"It didn't burn you?"
"N--o, but it made me jump," laughed Willie. "Why didn't you tell me,
Tiny, that I was in your way?"
"You warn't in my way."
"But I must 'a' been," the man persisted.
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