"What in the name of common sense do you mean, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Waugh, while the commodore and Mary L'Oiseau looked the astonishment they did not speak. "Pray explain yourself, my love."
"He—says—I—swallowed—an—assignation—whole!" repeated Jacquelina, with distinct emphasis. Her auditors looked from one to another in perplexity.
"I see that I shall have to explain the disagreeable affair," said the professor, coming forward, and addressing himself to the commodore. "Mr. Thurston Willcoxen was here this afternoon on a visit to your niece, sir. In taking leave he slipped into her hand a small note, which, when I demanded, she refused to let me see."
"And very properly, too. What right had you to make such a 'demand?'" said Mrs. Waugh, indignantly.
"I was not addressing my remarks to you, madam," retorted the professor.
"That will not keep me from making a running commentary upon them, however," responded the lady.
"Hold your tongue, Henrietta. Go on, Nace. I swear you are enough to drive a peaceable man mad between you," said the commodore, bringing his stick down emphatically. "Well what next?"
"On my attempting to take it from her she put it in her mouth and swallowed it."
"Yes! and then he seized me and shook me, as if I had been a fine-bearing little plum tree in harvest time."
"And served you right, I begin to think, you little limb, you. What was it you had, you little hussy?"