However, before the old lady could conclude a speech which was intended to exterminate both Tobias and his custodian, there befell a most melancholy occurrence. Whether Tobias, growing incensed at his excommunication, became violent in his basket, or whether his custodian was so much distressed thereby as to relax her hold upon it, will never be known with any degree of certainty. But what happened was this. Right in the middle of the old lady’s ruthless deliverance upon the subject the wicker basket fell with a thud onto the Persian carpet.
At the same instant the lid fell off in the most dramatic manner. Two yellow shin pads, which had seen service in the hockey field, and a long, lean brown body flew out together. Miss Burden screamed; and incredible as it may appear, Ponto shot straight up the window curtains, and feeling dear life to be at stake balanced himself very precariously upon the pole at the top.
Miss Burden approached the verge of hysteria. Mr. Marchbanks seemed overwhelmed. As for the custodian of Tobias, she picked up the yellow shin pads with spacious and charming unconcern, quite as if nothing had happened. The old lady’s nerves were undoubtedly shaken; all the same she retained the perfect command of a lively and vigorous self-possession.
She gathered her black silk dress about her, and poised her ebony walking-stick determinedly, and then she stormed.
“What is it?” she demanded. “Is it a snake?”
Miss Burden screamed.
Miss Perry replaced the yellow shin pads in the wicker basket with a leisureliness which was highly reassuring.
“Speak, girl,” stormed the old lady. “I repeat, what is it? If you have dared to introduce a reptile into my drawing-room you shall both leave this house immediately.”
Even this decree did not perturb Miss Perry. She still preserved her constitutional obliviousness to anything in the nature of commotion.
“Oh no, dear Aunt Caroline,” she drawled. “Tobias is not a snake. He is only a ferret.”