"Puffickly 'orrid," said Archie again.
"Nay, do not frown," Myra went on, "'tis only my little brother, who is like unto a codfish himself, and jealous withal."
"Ay, ay, and I thought it was a codfish. So that I had e'en brought the egg-sauce with me."
"Trouble not thyself for that," said Archie. "For verily the audience will supply thee with all the eggs thou wantest. I say, we are being funny."
"I'm not, I'm quite serious, I really did think it was a co—— 'But tell me, fair one,'" I said hurriedly, "'for what dost the Emperor want me?'"
"Yes, yes," said Derry, "I'm sorry I had to interrupt you. I think perhaps we had better begin again. Yes, from the beginning."
The rehearsal rolled on.
* * * * * * *
"I think it went splendidly," said Myra. "If only we had known our parts and come in at the right moments and been more serious over it."
"If there's any laughing to be done it will have to be done by us. The audience won't laugh."