Portia: “And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: The law allows it, and the court awards it.”
Shylock: “Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare!”
Then Lois rose and, holding up a warning arm, began with suppressed excitement, while they all watched her, intent on the coming speech.
Portia:
“Tarry a little; there is something else!
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood,—
The words expressly are, a pound of flesh:
Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of—”
“Candy,” called a voice from the hall, and in a second the door opened and Uncle Roddy, preceded by Mrs. Baird, entered.
Lois nearly toppled off the desk in her surprise and Miss Porter, who had fallen, groveling on the
floor, at the words “no jot of blood,” scrambled to her feet with a very red face.
“Uncle Roddy!” exclaimed Polly, “where did you come from?” And she threw her arms around his neck.
“From Buffalo, my dear,” answered Uncle Roddy. “I found I could stop over here for a couple of hours on my way home. I am so glad I did, for I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Please introduce me to the rest of the company.”