"Hello, William! This is Mrs. Jack, William. Just married. We've come to spend the summer with you."
"Yes, sir."
"But on the quiet, William. Understand? If you leak a word about our being here—well, I know about the heart-throb business between you and Matilda. If you drop one word—one single word, I put mother next to what's doing between you two."
"Yes, sir."
"Just wanted you to know we were here, William, so you wouldn't by any chance throw a surprise that would give us away. That's all. Keep mum about us"—with a sly wink at him and another at Matilda—"and you two can goo-goo at each other like a popular song. Good-night."
Jack turned his back; and Mary, whose heart went out to all lovers, delicately turned hers.
"William," fluttered Matilda, taking an eager, hesitating step toward him.
He stared at her haughtily—as haughtily as is in the power of a mere mortal who has no collar on.
"William," she cried bewildered, "what is it?"