"Above all, he looks after his least attractive lady guests. And he never on any account slips away for a smoke with a stray gentleman friend."
The professor's gloom lightened. "Is there going to be a stray gentleman friend? Did old Bones promise?"
Desire nodded triumphantly.
"First time in captivity," murmured Spence. "How on earth did you manage it?"
"I simply asked him!"
"As easy as that?"
They both laughed as happy people laugh at merest nonsense.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" shrieked Yorick. "Go to it, give 'em hell!"
"I don't wonder Aunt Caroline dreads him," said Desire. "His experience seems to have been lurid."
"Kiss her, you flat-foot, kiss her," shrieked the ribald Yorick.