[Horace starts; Pringle prepares to assume the offensive.
Mr. Wackerbath.
Not a word—not a word. What was it, Futvoye? Nothing, I hope, of—ah—an unpleasant nature!
Pringle.
[Striking in before the Professor can reply.] "Unpleasant"? Oh, dear no! [Coming forward to centre.] Quite an ordinary occurrence! Ha-ha!
[General surprise.
Mrs. Futvoye.
[With annoyance.] I don't know why Mr. Pringle should choose to answer for my husband. [To Mr. Wackerbath.] We considered it most unpleasant. In fact, we can only be thankful it was no worse!
Pringle.
But are you thankful? I haven't noticed any signs of it, so far!