master maloney, who had taken advantage of the interruption to edge back into the center of things, now appeared to consider the question of his departure permanently shelved. he sidled to a corner of the landing, and sat down on an empty soap box with the air of a dramatic critic at the opening night of a new play. the scene looked good to him. it promised interesting developments. he was an earnest student of the drama, as exhibited in the theaters of the east side, and few had ever applauded the hero of "escaped from sing sing," or hissed the villain of "nellie, the beautiful cloak-model" with more fervor. he liked his drama to have plenty of action, and to his practised eye this one promised well. there was a set expression on john's face which suggested great things.