He rose and examined a watch which he was carrying in his right hand.
"Crystal smashed," he said, "but still going. And I've got to wait four minutes!"
"Why have you got to wait four minutes?"
"Because I promised to wait ten, and six of them have elapsed. Oh, but won't you be excited when I am at liberty to speak! It's more exciting than when we were lost in the woods, crossing the swamp that had never been crossed before. Meanwhile, let us calm ourselves by talking of something prosaic. How are the tomatoes getting on?"
Phyllis put up her hand in a smiling military salute.
"'General Blank's compliments,'" she said, "'and the colored troops are turning black in the face.'"
"My favorite breakfast dish," said Herring, "is grilled tomatoes, preceded by raw oysters and oatmeal."
"Isn't it nice," said Phyllis, "that there is money in the family after all, and we're going to give up The Camp as an inn?"
"It would have been given up anyway," said Herring. "A determined body of men had so resolved in secret. There's one minute left."
For some reason they found nothing to say during the whole of that minute. When the last second thereof had passed forever, Herring said simply: