Ber. No, we usually get our own point of view. Mighty seldom we get the other fellow’s.
Abner. And if—if I agree you are willing to swear you will not take the girl?
Ber. On my word of honor. You do love the girl after all.
Abner. But great heaven man, I can’t square things with Cynthy Tinker without having people know the facts. Nat will tell.
Ber. Why don’t you do the telling yourself? If you have been cheating perfectly innocent people I think you will find that confession is a good thing for a guilty conscience. Anyway you have two paths to choose from, and you know what is at the end of each.
(Lee and Peter rush in, Ariel follows. Obad. and Nat. and Lem., Cyn. last with a letter in her hand.)
Lee. Well, Captain, we have told them! And it didn’t kill them either!
Peter. Yes, they rejoice in all the horrible details.
Obad. Gosh all fog horns I should say we did! Did any one ever hear the like? A story! “Mystery of the Seven Pipes!”
Lem. I always said writers wuz half cracked. I never was so sure of it as I am this minit! But the mystery ain’t all cleared by a long sight. Mr. Pomeroy only took three pipes. Who took the other four?