“Is it not an unusual thing, this?” anxiously asked Anna.
“Very unusual, Miss.”
At which Julia and Anna exchanged significant glances.
“But is it not wonderful, very wonderful?” demanded Julia.
“Very wonderful, Miss.”
My daughters exchanged still more significant glances, and Julia, emboldened, again spoke.
“And must you not admit, sir, that it is the work of—of—of sp—?”
“Spirits? No,” was the crusty rejoinder.
“My daughters,” said I, mildly, “you should remember that this is not Madame Pazzi, the conjuress, you put your questions to, but the eminent naturalist, Professor Johnson. And now, Professor,” I added, “be pleased to explain. Enlighten our ignorance.”
Without repeating all the learned gentleman said—for, indeed, though lucid, he was a little prosy—let the following summary of his explication suffice.