‘I do not exactly understand you,’ said Neptune.
‘Have you heard from Proserpine, lately?’ inquired Jupiter of Ceres.
‘Yesterday,’ said the domestic mother. ‘They talk of soon joining us. But Pluto is at present so busy, owing to the amazing quantity of wars going on now, that I am almost afraid he will scarcely be able to accompany her.’
Juno exchanged a telegraphic nod with Ceres. The Goddesses rose, and retired.
‘Come, old boy,’ said Jupiter to Ixion, instantly throwing off all his chivalric majesty, ‘I drink your welcome in a magnum of Maraschino. Damn your poetry, Apollo, and, Mercury, give us one of your good stories.’
‘Well! what do you think of him?’ asked Juno.
‘He appears to have a fine mind,’ said Minerva.
‘Poh! he has very fine eyes,’ said Juno.
‘He seems a very nice, quiet young gentleman,’ said Ceres.
‘I have no doubt he is very amiable,’ said Latona.