“This would be good stuff for a scene in a play,” he thought, and he made a mental note of it.
Then he turned to the woman.
“Madam,” he said, “what have I ever done to you that you should attempt to injure me in this manner?”
“Don’t let him speak to me, the scoundrel!” she entreated, appealing to the men.
“But it is no more than fair that you should answer me,” persisted Merry. “I do not know you; I have not even seen your face. Will you not lift your veil and permit me to see your face, so that I may know who has brought me into this unpleasant position?”
“He adds to his insults by requesting me to expose my identity on the street after such an affair as this!” she almost sobbed. “He would disgrace me! He would have my name in all the newspapers!”
“Reprehensible!” purred the gallant man.
“Terrible!” cackled the man with the bobbing head.
“Dastardly!” exploded the individual with the red whiskers.
“Criminal!” grated the giant with the crooked eye.