Repentance

One night, Mayor Andrew Martin sat in his reading chair, enjoying the music from the gramophone with a pipe in hand. His wife, seated on the edge of the bed, was rubbing cream on her hands. A knock on the door interrupted the tranquil scene.

"Come in," his wife called out. But the knocking persisted, unanswered. She repeated, louder this time, "Come in!"

Turning slightly annoyed as the servant didn't enter the room, Mayor Andrew got up from his comfortable chair and walked to the door. However, upon opening it, there was no one standing there or in the long corridor. 

"Are the servants playing a prank?" he asked no one in particular. He closed the door and turned when another knock was heard on the door. This time, he turned irritated and opened the door swiftly.