He seemed quite respectable , I thought , and I supposed he was some intimate friend of Uncle Norman 's . I rose politely and said , `` Good day . '' You never saw such an expression of amazement as was on that poor man 's face . He looked from me to Alberta and from Alberta to Elizabeth and from Elizabeth to me again as if he doubted the evidence of his eyes . `` Mr. and Mrs. Norman Young are not at home , '' I explained , pitying him . `` They went to Streatham this morning because Mrs. Young 's sister is very ill . '' `` What does all this mean ? '' said the big man gruffly . `` This is n't Norman Young 's house ... it is mine . I 'm William Young . Who are you ? And what are you doing here ? '' I fell back into my chair , speechless . My very first impulse was to put up my hand and cover the gold watch . Alberta had dropped the carving knife and was trying desperately to get the gold bracelet off under the table . In a flash we had realized our mistake and its awfulness . As for me , I felt positively frightened ; Margaret Hannah 's warnings of old had left an ineffaceable impression . Elizabeth rose to the occasion . Rising to the occasion is another of Elizabeth 's specialties . Besides , she was not hampered by the tingling consciousness that she was wearing a gift that had not been intended for her .
`` We have made a mistake , I fear , '' she said , with a dignity which I appreciated even in my panic , `` and we are very sorry XXXXX it .
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