"Well, that's how I read the part. Hang it, I ought to know if I've been bitten or not. But I won't show it if you like; I'll come on briskly."
I went out, and came on very briskly.
"That's better," said Derry.
"'His Majesty ordered me to be here at the stroke of noon,'" I said. "'Belike he has some secret commands to lay upon me, or perchance it is nought but a plague of rats. But who is this?'"
"'Oh,'" said Myra, coming in suddenly, "'I had thought to be alone.'"
"'Nay, do not flee from me, pretty one. It is thus that——' I say, Myra, it's no good my saying do not flee if you don't flee."
"I was just going to. You didn't give me a chance. There, now I'm fleeing."
"Oh, all right. 'It is thus that the rats flee when they see me approaching. Am I so very fearsome?'"
"'Orrid," said Archie to himself from the wings.
"One moment," said Derry, and he turned round to speak to somebody.