“You put me out so,” snapped Bundock, suddenly reappearing before the engrossed couple, “that I forgot to kill my two frogs after all!” And going to the Frog Cottage doorway, he knocked officially before opening it and committing the letter to the empty interior.
“You’ll be witness that I delivered it constitutionally,” he said, “for I can’t be expected to come a third time.”
“ ’Tis a windfall your coming a second,” cried Caleb eagerly, “bein’ as we can’t read the letter.”
Martha made facial contortions to remind him that Bundock was barred. “ ’Tain’t you we want to read it,” he hurriedly added, “but when a letter comes all of an onplunge, time a man’s peacefully trimmin’ the werges, he ain’t prepared like. You haven’t got a moment—did, Oi’d be glad o’ your counsel on the matter.”
“Well, since I’ve wasted so much of the Queen’s time——!” said Bundock, flattered.
They adjourned to the parlour to give him a rest, and denuding himself of both cap and bag of office, he occupied oracularly the long-unused arm-chair, while Caleb, uncomfortably perched on a seat of slippery horsehair, started to unfold the situation.
“Take off your hat,” broke in Martha. “Mr. Bundock will be thinking you’ve no manners.”
“Oi’ll be soon gooin’ outside again,” said Caleb obstinately, and re-started his story.
“Do let me explain,” interrupted Martha at last.
“Do let me get a word in,” cried Caleb.