But she had no patience to spare for him.

"Quick! Send your dog to guard that door!"

Tom Tripe snapped his fingers and made a motion with his right hand.
The dog took up position full in the middle of the passage blocking the
way to the kitchen and alert for anything at all, but violence preferred.
Chamu, all sly smiles and effusiveness until that instant, as one who
would like to be thought a confidential co-conspirator, now suddenly
realized that his retreat was cut off. No explanation had been offered,
but the fact was obvious and conscience made the usual coward of him.
He would rather have bearded Tom Tripe than the dog.

Yasmini opened on him in his own language, because there was just
a chance that otherwise Tess might overhear through the open window
and put two and two together.

"Scullion! Dish-breaker! Conveyor of uncleanness! You have a son?"

"Truly, heavenborn. One son, who grows into a man--the treasure of
my old heart."

"A gambler!"

"A young man, heavenborn, who feels his manhood--now and then
gay--now and then foolish "

"A budmash!" (Bad rascal.)

"Nay, an honest one!"