“The first thing he did upon recovery was to make the practice of ventriloquism a capital crime.”
There was a long silence.
At length—
“Don’t say you’re asleep?” said Toby.
Cicely started guiltily.
“Certainly not,” she said. “Go on. Sunset went into a trance. I suppose the uncle did that. What then?”
“Oh, the vixen!” said Rage. “Just ’cause I wouldn’t get her coat. Never mind. ‘Full many a tale is told to float unheard, And waste its neatness on the distrait ear.’ Besides, it’s the effort that counts.” He sighed. Then, “D’you often laugh in your sleep, Cicely?”
So soon as she could speak—
“I’m not surprised,” said Miss Voile in a shaking voice, “that Rachel turned you down.”
“But she didn’t,” said Rage comfortably. “It was I who, er, withdrew. What shall we do to-morrow?”